I said in my weekend roundup that the news about federal employees being put into the insurance exchanges was a good one because it broadened the pool for those exchanges. That would be true if the Senate health care bill did that, but alas, it doesn’t. The proposal to end the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and shift those employees to the exchange died back in October. The Senate bill would require members of Congress and their staffs to use the exchanges, but not the entire apparatus of federal employees. Which is a mistake, because the more individuals you put in a single exchange, the broader the risk pool, which could lower premiums.

Apologies for the misimpression.