5/5/10: Legislation introduced yesterday by Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) providing the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) with authority to cover young adults up to age 26 on their parents’ health care plans in 2010 has strong support from the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU).

NTEU National President Colleen Kelley said the Union is advocating for a technical correction that would allow OPM to implement the coverage for dependents up to age 26 under Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP) during 2010.

This technical clarification would allow OPM to act prior to Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act (PPACA) taking effect, and falls in line with calls from the Department of Health and Human Services for private sector companies to move forward with this stipulation. Existing language governing OPM’s authority to contract with insurance carriers for FEHBP plans stipulates that eligibility for dependents ends at age 22. Joining Rep. Van Hollen in introducing the bill were Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper (D-Pa.), and Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.)

“I have heard from a number of NTEU members asking that OPM implement the provision earlier as some private sector companies are doing,” said President Kelley. “NTEU is hopeful that this measure will get support in the Senate and will be implemented in time to help federal families seeking this coverage.”

Extending coverage to dependents over age 22 has been a key legislative priority for NTEU. “NTEU has worked hard to support this change providing dependent coverage up to age 26 as it will make a significant difference in the lives of federal employees and their children,” said President Kelley.