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Federal health insurance premiums to see another large spike in 2026

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Federal employees and annuitants are heading for yet another year of large increases to their health insurance premiums, in both the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program and the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) program.

The Office of Personnel Management announced Thursday that FEHB participants will pay an average of 12.3% more toward their insurance premiums starting in January 2026 — or in dollars, an average of $26.40 more per pay period.

The upcoming 12.3% premium spike follows multiple large premium increases over the last few years for FEHB enrollees. Federal employees saw an average of a 13.5% increase for the 2025 plan year — the largest year-over-year increase in well over a decade. Feds also saw a 7.7% jump in 2024, and an 8.7% increase in 2023.

Graph created by Federal News Network using Office of Personnel Management data from 2015-present.

The PSHB program, which is open to more than 2 million USPS employees, annuitants and family members, is also set for a large premium increase for 2026. Enrollees in PSHB will be paying 11.3% more, on average, toward their 2026 premiums. In dollars, that’s about $21.51 more per pay period.

The federal government covers about 75% of a participant’s premium — and no more than 72% of the weighted average of the previous year’s federal health insurance premiums.

When accounting for the government’s share of FEHB costs, which is increasing by about 9.2%, premiums will rise by 10.2% overall. PSHB premiums are increasing by 9% overall, when including the government’s portion of the cost, which is going up by 8%.

Open Season during a shutdown

For this year’s announcement, federal employees are facing more uncertainty than usual. The upcoming premium increases for the government’s health insurance programs are compounded by the current shutdown, as well as the possibility of missing paychecks if the lapse in appropriations drags on.

If a shutdown extends into November, OPM has said Open Season would still go on as normal. Health benefits for federal and postal enrollees continue throughout the shutdown, but premium payments are paused for the duration of the shutdown.

Additionally, participants in FEHB, PSHB and the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) — regardless of whether they are furloughed, excepted or exempt — can still make changes to their plan options during Open Season, even in the case of a shutdown. OPM finances those programs through a trust fund, rather than appropriations, meaning the funding is not expected to be interrupted.

But at the same time, OPM is now managing the FEHB and PSHB programs with significantly less staffing than in previous years. Due to the Trump administration’s overhauls to the federal workforce, the agency is on track to lose 1,000 employees, or about one-third of its total workforce, by the end of the calendar year.

OPM’s healthcare and insurance office, which manages FEHB, PSHB, FEDVIP and other insurance programs, has lost a total of 80 employees this year through retirements, attrition, the deferred resignation program (DRP) and probationary terminations.

Over the summer, OPM’s inspector general office warned that those staffing shortages, coupled with funding issues, put the PSHB’s central enrollment platform at risk of an operational failure. All PSHB participants must use the online platform to access their benefits and make changes to their health insurance options during Open Season.

A separate Government Accountability Office report earlier this year also found that recent OPM staffing vacancies led to a suspension of fraud risk assessments in the FEHB program.

Looking ahead to 2026

Premium rates for federal health insurance programs inevitably increase to some extent each year. Though the premium increases for enrollees average to 12.3% and 11.3% for 2026, some plan options will have smaller cost increases, while others will have bigger ones.

The large premium increase for federal health insurance also contrasts with the 1% federal pay raise President Donald Trump is proposing for most General Schedule employees in 2026.

OPM Associate Director of Healthcare and Insurance Shane Stevens noted that the premium increases aren’t as large as they were for 2025, which shows “some positive movement.”

“All that being said, we recognize that increasing health care expenses at this clip is not a sustainable path,” Stevens said in a blog post Thursday. “As we assess the overall health vs. expense equation across the US, we find an alarming trend.”

Stevens said OPM is looking to address the rising costs by cracking down on waste, fraud and abuse in the programs, as well as moving toward “a more proactive, preventive health-first orientation.”

“None of these initiatives of course will happen overnight,” Stevens said. “But, we are committed to improving the quality of life and quality of care for our members while also ensuring that healthcare remains accessible and affordable for those who work (or have worked) for the American people.”

OPM’s announcement Thursday comes about a month ahead of Open Season, the time of year that FEHB and PSHB enrollees can update their federal health insurance options for plan year 2026. This year’s Open Season runs from Nov. 10 to Dec. 8.

Any changes made during Open Season will take effect when plan year 2026 officially starts on Jan. 1. More information and resources are available on OPM’s website for both FEHB and PSHB participants.

The post Federal health insurance premiums to see another large spike in 2026 first appeared on Federal News Network.

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UPDATE: President Trump Announces Major Deal with Drugmaker AstraZeneca, Including $50 BILLION Investment

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4 hours ago

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October 11, 2025

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President Trump on Friday announced another deal with UK-based pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca to lower drug costs for Americans on Medicaid. 

The drug manufacturer will now sell prescription drugs to patients at Most Favored Nations prices through TrumpRx.gov.

This comes after the President struck a deal with Pfizer to also provide Americans with heavily discounted prescription drugs at most-favored-nation prices.

President Trump Responds to TGP’s Conradson’s Question – SLAMS Biden for Stealing Credit for Insulin Price Cap After Announcing Major Drug Discount Deal (VIDEO)

Trump made the announcement on AstraZeneca in the Oval Office on Friday, where he touted his efforts to lower drug costs during his first term and announced Most Favored Nations pricing from "the largest pharmaceutical manufacturer in the United Kingdom."

"I had it going very well in my first term, but we were interrupted by rigged elections, so I was unable to carry it forward," the President noted.

Trump also highlighted AstraZeneca's plans to build a new plant in Charlottesville, Virginia, where they broke ground on Thursday, investing $50 billion in U.S. manufactuting, he said. "It's going to have 3,600 jobs just to begin with, and that's going to be a fantastic plant," Trump said.

Trump delivered remarks on the new deal and AstraZeneca's manufacturing plans in America for nearly seven minutes before taking questions from the press. AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, CMS Administrator, Mehmet Oz, FDA commissioner Marty McCary, and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin joined the President and delivered remarks.

WATCH:

Trump: Today, I'm excited to announce another historic achievement in our quest to lower drug prices for all Americans. You know, prices have come way down. We've gotten prices way down for groceries, for oil, especially today, we broke $60/a barrel. We think the oil is going to be under $2 a gallon very soon. That's about 70% lower than what it was just a year ago. So, that's a big thing. And when the oil comes down, everything comes down. It's pretty beautiful to watch. AstraZeneca, the largest pharmaceutical manufacturer in the United Kingdom, is committing to offer Americans major discounts on their vast catalog of prescription drugs, one of the great companies by the way, and a most favored nation's pricing clause. So, most favored nation is 'reyou going to pay whatever the lowest price anywhere in the world is; that's what you're going to be paying.

And I was, I had it going very well in my first term, but we were interrupted by rigged elections, so I was unable to carry it forward. We started it, but this was something I— one of the reasons I wanted to run again was we had to have favored nations, where the world is not going to be paying just a fraction, just a tiny fraction, of what we were paying. I want to thank CEO Pascal Soriot, very highly respected, one of the most respected men in business and certainly in the industry, for joining us today, as well as Secretary Howard Lutnick, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., CMS Administrator, Mehmet Oz, FDA commissioner Marty McCary, and Virginia Governor— a man who's done an incredible job and good luck with the upcoming election. I know you're working very hard. I watch you, you're right there. He's out there working. He wants to see that young woman win, and the Attorney General, who I endorsed, etc., etc.— Glenn Youngkin. Thank you very much, Glenn, thank you for being here. For many years, Americans have paid the highest prices anywhere in the world for prescription drugs, by far, by far, many times the amount that other countries are paying. It’s ridiculous. Upon taking office, I signed an executive order to make sure that Americans pay no more for prescription medications than the lowest price for the same drug in other locations and developing nations.

Today, AstraZeneca is committing to offer all of their prescription medications to Medicaid at most favored nations prices. In other words, the lowest price anywhere in the world, that's what we get, a move that will save American taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars each year. And I tell the story, Glenn, that in my first term, I had the honor of being the first president in 28 years to lower drug prices during the course of the year. And we actually did, and I was so proud of myself. We called a news conference, I announced it. It was 1/8 of 1%, 1/8 of 1%. Now, drug prices are going to be going down 100%, 400%, 600%, 1,000%, in some cases. But for 1/8 of a cent, Bobby, think of that, I was so proud because for 28 years, nobody had done it, and now it’s— I think back to that, I said, I shouldn't have had that news conference. But it’s just true, I was the only one that did it, but it was not very much, and now we're going to get, in Some cases, 1,000% reduction. This could have a huge impact on everything from Social Security to Medicare to Medicaid, anything where they're buying any prescription drugs, it’s going to have an incredible impact. It's going to lower itself greatly. AstraZeneca will also list many of their most popular drugs online at TrumpRX.gov, Trump, RX. I don't know why they put the name Trump. I did not tell him to do it, but I'm honored to let him do it. That's true actually. At heavily reduced most favored nations cost, Americans can expect discounts and, as I said, it could be, in many cases, way over 100%. And as an example, one particular drug that's hot, very hot, 654% on inhalers, COPD and asthma, as well as certain diabetics medications. They're going to be averaging about 654% reduction in price. You believe that one?

The Democrats will say, well, he should have gotten more. It's crazy. In addition, all medications AstraZeneca introduces to the American market, going forward, will also be sold at these heavily discounted rates. Furthermore, AstraZeneca will invest $50 billion in the United States over the next five years for research and development of new drugs and to onshore manufacturing facilities across the country, like the new plant that broke ground yesterday in Charlottesville, Virginia, where the governor attended and they had a tremendous group of people attending. It's going to have 3,600 jobs just to begin with, and that's going to be a fantastic plant. I saw a picture. It's going to be the best, right? Can't get any better. This is a tremendous victory for Virginia and for American patients and for everything, for the country. It's an amazing company to have coming over to the United States in such a big way. That's going to be a big part of the company. Presidents have promised for years to lower the cost of health care, but my administration is actually the first to do it and do it substantially, do it at numbers that nobody thought, even I thought, were not possible, when you think. Think of it, if you got a 1%, 2%, 5%, that's good. You did a good job. We're talking about 100, 200m 300, 500 700, in some cases, some big, big numbers. And the largest drug companies in the world are working with us to make this a reality. And so I look forward to being at your opening of that incredible facility. I hear something, and it's in a great location, one of the beautiful locations.

The post UPDATE: President Trump Announces Major Deal with Drugmaker AstraZeneca, Including $50 BILLION Investment appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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93% of Virginia Democrats Approve of Their Candidates Calling for the Murder of Republicans and Children Dying in Their Mothers’ Arms

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October 11, 2025

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A poll sent out to Democrats this week in Virginia found that 93% of Democrats approved of Republican politicians being murdered and their children dying in their mother’s arms.

They don’t even hide their homicidal dreams anymore.

Democrats are no longer safe to be around. They offer nothing to the country but still want to kill you if you do not support them.

Via Wall Street Apes:

A poll was sent out to Democrat voters in Virginia

The poll asked if the texts sent out by Virginia Attorney General nominee Jay Jones that called for the murder of Republicans, their kids and police we’re disqualifying to run for AG

93% of Democrats responded NO

We cannot coexist with liberals. They literally want us dead

John Fredericks discussed this poll that shows how Virginia Democrats feel about Jay Jones’ texts that Republicans should be killed and their families will suffer.

John Fredericks: So I just got a poll. Just came out last night. Got it when I got up today. This is really going to not sit well with you. A poll was sanctioned by the John Reid for Lieutenant Governor campaign. So I got the insight on it. It hasn’t been released yet.

But here’s the one number that is going to make you sick to your stomach. Here’s the one number – When Democrats in Virginia were asked, did the text that Jay Jones sent to a colleague calling for the assassination of, at that time, Republican Speaker Todd Gilbert, his wife, his kids, hoping his kids would die in her arms so she could suffer, calling for police to die so he could get policy on qualified immunity. When asked the question, Are these texts disqualifying for your candidate for attorney general?

7% of Virginia Democrats said yes. 93 said no. Basically, if you’re a Virginia Democrat, you have no problem with your candidate for attorney general threatening his assassination of a speaker of the House, his wife, his kids, and want to see the kids die in her arms. We have to see cops die in Virginia.

Only 7% reject that.

Here is a copy of the text messages by Jay Jones on murdering Republicans. Jones is running for Attorney General in the state.
Text conversation discussing controversial opinions and personal feelings about political issues, highlighting tension and misunderstandings between participants.

Here is the video, via Wall Street Apes.

Here is the full tweet.

This is next level democracy.

Even the Democrat candidate for governor is OK with this murder talk.

Democrats want you dead.

The post 93% of Virginia Democrats Approve of Their Candidates Calling for the Murder of Republicans and Children Dying in Their Mothers’ Arms appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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BREAKING: Rabid Leftist Who Spat on Ed Martin and Kicked US Marshals Will Avoid Prison Time After Biden Judge Sentences Her to ‘Time Served’

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October 11, 2025

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Emily Gabriella Sommer charged for assaulting Ed Martin

The rabid leftist who spat on DOJ official Ed Martin and kicked US Marshals will avoid prison time after a Biden-appointed federal judge sentenced her to ‘time served.’

The Justice Department sought 18 months in prison for Emily Sommer, the unhinged leftist who spat on Ed Martin and kicked US Marshals earlier this year.

Judge Jia Cobb, a Biden appointee, sentenced Sommer to four months time served. Sommer was sentenced to fourth months time served, home confinement and probation, rather than prison time.

Screenshot from video of senate judiciary committee confirmation hearing featuring Jia M. Cobb to be United States district judge for the district of Columbia. Photo from judiciary senate video

In May, the Justice Department charged Emily Gabriella Sommer for assaulting Ed Martin.

Sommer was charged with violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111 (Assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers and employees of the United States).

In June, the DOJ asked the Court to detain Emily Sommer pending trial because she threatened Ed Martin and Jeannine Pirro in a series of X posts.

Emily Sommer was put in a DC jail after threatening a neighbor with a crowbar. She also physically attacked US Marshals after being removed from the courtroom in May.

“Sommer became agitated during her initial appearance in court on May 22 upon learning the prosecutor’s office intended to seek a more serious version of the assault charge that requires forcible contact and carries a maximum sentence of up to 8 years in prison. While in holding after being removed from the courtroom, Sommer allegedly spit and kicked on two U.S. Marshals. A second superseding indictment was filed in June with two additional assault counts for the incident,” WUSA 9 reported.

Sommer pleaded guilty to three counts of assault for spitting on Ed Martin and assaulting US Marshals.

Sommer spat on then-Acting DC US Attorney Ed Martin earlier this year while he was interviewing with Newsmax.

“We need to stay focused,” Ed Martin said during an interview with Newsmax when he was interrupted by a leftist protester who approached him.

Ed Martin backed up as the woman became aggressive and spat on him.

“Whoa!” Ed Martin said.

“You’re a disgusting man!” the woman said as she walked away with her dog in tow.

In the uncensored version, the woman is heard screaming, “who the f*ck are you?! You are Ed Martin!” before spitting on him.

WATCH:

In a previous court filing, the DOJ said additional assault charges and a stalking charge would be added because of Sommer’s threats to Ed Martin and Jeanine Pirro.

The DOJ filing argued that Emily Sommer’s X posts threatening Ed Martin and Judge Pirro violated her probation.

“Fuck you, Ed… but since you’ve once again made me hostage in this city, I’ll make sure it eats you alive and spits you back out, like the felony “assault” you’ve alleged, wit your punk-ass-bitch-cuckold-neo-neo-neo-no-brained-Neanderthal (no shade to actual non-Sapiens) cracka ass, jive-turkey redneck from the Midwest,” Emily Sommer said in an X post.

Sommer issued a veiled threat to Judge Jeanine Pirro.

“And lmaoooooo @JudgeJeanine is the bish that took your job That’s gotta hurt. And she’s got so much trash talk comin her way too, don’t worry bish, you’ll get it too,” Sommer said.

The post BREAKING: Rabid Leftist Who Spat on Ed Martin and Kicked US Marshals Will Avoid Prison Time After Biden Judge Sentences Her to ‘Time Served’ appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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