OPM launched the beginning of the 2014 FEHBP contract negotiations with its annual benefit and rate call letter. Carriers are allowed until May 31 to submit their benefit and rate proposals. The call letter was released on day #1 of the annual OPM AHIP carrier conference. Govexec.com covered the keynote speech here. The Washington Post’s Federal Eye reported on the call letter here.

Also today, according to a Hill report, Congress passed the continuing resolution extension funding the federal government through September 30, 2013. Government shutdown avoided. However, the federal employee pay freeze continues at least. Thank heavens for little miracles.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation updated for 2013 its U.S. county by county health rankings. The FEHBlog’s home county ranks #2 in Maryland