September 23, 2016
Message from NARFE President Richard G. Thissen
“This week, while Congress still works toward passing a continuing resolution to keep the federal government open, our staff has been meeting with legislators and pushing the NARFE legislative agenda. I also had the terrific opportunity to attend the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals -- or ‘Sammies’ -- awards ceremony. NARFE is proud to be part of this wonderful event honoring the best of the federal workforce. The Sammies illustrate the excellence that is present throughout the civil service.”
Congress Working To Pass a Continuing Resolution
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, unveiled a continuing resolution that would fund the government through December 9. It included spending for battling Zika; for veterans’ affairs; and for flood relief in Louisiana, West Virginia and Maryland. McConnell said the Senate will have four days to review the resolution before it votes early next week.
Senate Democrats have spoken out against the resolution, particularly because it does not include funding for the water crisis in Flint, MI. Negotiations are expected to take place over the weekend. The House is expected to take up the resolution next week, after the Senate votes.
Neither chamber is set to return to Capitol Hill until Tuesday, so it’s likely the funding debate will stretch late into next week, brushing up against the September 30 deadline.
Long-Term Care Insurance Decision Date Coming Soon
Don’t forget! Enrollees have until September 30 to make a decision about their Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) policies. Don’t be faced with a steep premium increase you may not be able to afford. If you do not confirm your decision by September 30, you will be subject to the increased premium, and your coverage will remain the same.
NARFE is continuing to push for a congressional hearing on the premium increases. A hearing has been tentatively scheduled by the Oversight and Government Reform Committee for November or December. The latest information on the increases is available here. Members are encouraged to write their legislators about the significant increases. A template letter is available here.
2016 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey Results
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released the results of the 2016 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) this week. The survey results covered two major indices – Employee Engagement and Global Job Satisfaction across the federal government – both of which are used to improve overall engagement and employee satisfaction at federal agencies.
The 2016 FEVS was administered to 407,789 employees representing 80 federal agencies of varying sizes. For the second year in a row, there was a 1 percent improvement in both of the indices. This broke the previous four-year decline. The results also show increases at agencies that previously scored high, as well as increases at other agencies that are working to improve their employee engagement scores.
The news release by OPM can be found here. OPM plans to release detailed results of the survey in early October.
Medicare Part B ‘Hold Harmless’ Reminder
The cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) for 2017 is set to be released on October 18. A small COLA could have significant implications for those who pay their Medicare Part B premiums from something other than their Social Security benefits, such as their Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) annuities. Please send an action letter to your members of Congress, alerting them to this possibility and asking them to prevent a sharp increase in your Medicare premiums simply because you are not held harmless.
Planning for Down Ballot Elections and Policy Impact
Unlike Congress, there is significant turnover in state legislatures. Voluntary retirement, term limits and primary defeats create openings for NARFE members to have substantial impact. NARFE’s Legislative Action Centercan show you the incumbents and Ballotpedia can show you everything that will be on your ballot and allow you to easily search for rich detail on every candidate. A candidate forum conducted by one or more chapters could pay dividends as immediately as the 2017 legislative session as well as in the future as you build relationships with your representatives.
Obtaining the Hotline
This weekly legislative message is emailed to NARFE members, posted on the NARFE website, www.narfe.org, and available to NARFE members via telephone (703-838-7780 and toll-free at 1-877-217-8234). Past editions are archived for NARFE member access. If you have any questions regarding the information in this Hotline, please email NARFE’s Legislative Department at leg@narfe.org or call 703-838-7760. | 
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