The Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program (FEP) announced a $1 million contribution to the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA) to assist federal employees that were impacted by the partial government shutdown.
The donation was made on behalf of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) and the 36 independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies nationwide.
In addition to this, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield – the BCBS company serving Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia – is making an extra $1 million contribution to FEEA as well as $500,000 in donations to food banks and human service organizations in the area.
“For nearly six decades, FEP has been a steadfast partner to federal workers and their families, providing the security and stability that comes with health insurance, and helping them achieve good health and well-being,” said William A. Breskin, senior vice president of government programs for BCBSA. “This contribution is a natural extension of what we do and who we are, and furthers our mission of protecting members and their families from financial hardship.”
“We are honored and value greatly the generous commitment of the Blue Cross Blue Shield companies during this extraordinary time of need for many government employees and their families,” said Joyce Warner, executive director for FEEA. “We know many families were living paycheck to paycheck even before the shutdown. Not having their normal pay has been devastating to many families. Just as we have partnered for decades with FEP to provide relief and support to these families, we are thrilled to be able to provide special focus in this time of greater need.”
