The House of Representatives passed COVID-19 relief bill no. 3.5 (H.R. 266) by a vote of 388-5 this afternoon. The bill restores funding for the Small Business Administration’s relief programs and provides $100 billion in funding for healthcare providers.

OPM issued a new COVID-19 letter to FEHBP carriers today. The FEHBlog was pleased to see that OPM is allowing FEHB high deductible plans with health savings accounts to cover telehealth before the “high deductible” as permitted by the CARES Act (COVID-19 relief bill no. 3).

OPM also announced today that “the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) will conduct a nationwide special solicitation to support charities serving and affected by COVID-19. This special solicitation will run through June 30.” Good call. Here’s the link to the campaign.

Also over the past two days, OPM has issued FAQs on resuming normal workforce operations at federal facilities and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act’s (COVID-19 relief bill no. 2) paid sick leave program. Meanwhile the U.S. Department of Labor is up to nearly 90 FAQs on that program which also applies to private sector employers with under 500 employees.