The Postal Service Reform Act of 2021, introduced in the House by House Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Ranking Member James Comer (R-KY), could raise health insurance costs for both employees and retirees in the federal workforce.

Participants in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) can expect to pay higher premiums in 2021, with an expected average increase of 4.9%. On average, federal employees will pay $7.89 more toward their health premiums per biweekly pay period next year. This hike is lower than that of last year, which was an increase of 5.6%.

In a proposed rule submitted to the Federal Register on July 20, the Office of Personnel Management implements provisions within the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (FY 2020 NDAA) that ensure the continuation of certain federal benefits and services in the event of a lapse in appropriations. The FY 2020 NDAA names certain Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) services as emergency services under the Antideficiency Act.