Jacque Simon, Chris Garlock, and Bill Schauman

Friday October 2, 2009

The recent Office of Personnel Management announcement that premiums under the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) will increase in 2010 by an average of 8.8 percent will be addressed this week on AFGE's "Inside Government" radio show.

AFGE Public Policy Director Jacque Simon will analyze the premium spike, which includes an increase for Blue Cross Blue Shield Standard Option participants by 15 percent for self coverage and 12 percent for family coverage – an increase that will affect 60 percent of all FEHBP enrollees.

But first, listeners will get a preview of the 9th annual D.C. Labor FilmFest from Director Chris Garlock. The event is scheduled for Oct. 13 – 19 at the American Film Institute's Silver Theater and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, Md. Garlock will highlight a number of films, including "Office Space," "Situations Vacant," and the Whistleblower Film Series. For more information, please visit www.dclabor.org.

Lastly, AFGE Census Local 2782 President Bill Schauman will discuss the dangers Census workers face conducting door-to-door interviews throughout the United States. Schauman also will address the negative feelings some have toward federal employees, and what AFGE is doing to change that attitude.