Bill would allow kids to remain in the federal employee health plan longer

A House lawmaker has reintroduced a bill that would raise the age limit for coverage of dependent children under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program by three years.

The bill (H.R. 2978), introduced by Rep. Danny K. Davis, D-Ill., would increase the cutoff age for coverage of unmarried dependent children from 22 to 25.

Davis said the measure is aimed at reducing financial strains on families, which have been made worse by the recession. "It is our hope that this legislation will reduce the cost and lighten the burden of health care for federal workers, while extending health protection for families," he said.

Labor groups have said 22 is too young to stop coverage because many children still rely on their parents for support as they make the transition from school to full-time jobs with health benefits.

"Young adults without health insurance are a serious and growing health care issue," said Colleen Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union. "These young adults are frequently in college, or out of school but with no job, or they have a job that does not have health benefits."

The bill was referred to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Davis introduced identical legislation in 2008, but it never made it out of committee.

H.R. 2978 also would raise the age limit for coverage of dependent grandchildren from 22 to 25. According to the Office of Personnel Management, unmarried grandchildren qualify for FEHBP benefits if they are living with and being cared for by the enrollee, and the enrollee is their main source of financial support.