December 17th: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has reversed its decision to impose a $7,500 copayment for surgeries performed by out-of-network doctors under the Blue Cross-Blue Shield (BCBS) Standard Option Health Plan.

For 2008, federal employees on the BCBS Standard Option who have surgery performed by an out-of-network doctor are reimbursed at 75 percent of the BCBS allowable amount. According to OPM, "Under the revised benefits provision, BCBS Standard Option enrollees will be responsible for 30 percent of the plan's payment allowance for the surgery to be performed, plus the difference between the plan's allowance and the amount billed by the surgeon. In addition, Blue Cross and Blue Shield will, for the first time, provide prior approval for all non-emergency, out-of-network surgeries of $5,000 or more, enabling enrollees to know in advance how much BCBS will pay for the surgery. BCBS also will provide additional information and assistance to make the patient's costs more transparent. Enrollees must initiate this prior-approval process."

On behalf of the federal employees and retirees across Maryland and across the nation, I thank OPM for following my recommendation to extend the Open Season enrollment period for the Federal Employees Health Plan through the end of January 2009. Federal employees now have six additional weeks to review all of the details each plan has to offer and select the best option for themselves and their families.

December 15th: Congratulations to the University of Maryland Men's Soccer team on winning the 2008 NCAA National Championship. This title is the third for the Maryland men's soccer program and the second in the past four seasons. I thank the players and coaches for the excitement of such a wonderful season and I am looking forward to next year when you fight for a fourth championship title!

December 12th: The Senate voted last night to abandon much of the leverage the federal government had to shape the restructuring of American automobile manufacturers. The agreement that I supported provided stringent mandates that would have forced GM and Chrysler to produce more of the types of vehicles that our country needs for our economic, environmental and energy security while making the companies themselves stronger and more competitive globally. The bipartisan agreement, supported by the White House and a majority of senators, also required sacrifices by both labor and management, in the form of compensation and benefit limitations. Oversight was in place and the proposed taxpayer investment was protected, if any of the participants failed to live up to the agreement.

Our economy is in very serious trouble. Thanks to the actions of a minority of senators, we are at even greater risk today than before our vote last night. Nearly three million jobs - manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, and others - now stand on the brink of the unthinkable, waiting for President Bush and Treasury Secretary Paulson to act.

I urge President Bush to act quickly to prevent the major U.S. auto makers from going into bankruptcy. No one would gain if they were to fail but so many nationwide would suffer. Our fragile economy - and the world financial markets - cannot afford yet another devastating blow.

December 1st: President-elect Obama has chosen bold, talented and experienced leaders to carry out his national security policy and help keep the American public safe and our country secure. His selections reinforce my deep belief that Barack Obama's steady hand and good judgment is exactly what we need at this time to put our country back on course and restore our leadership in the world. As President-elect Obama stated, Americans will once again stand proud in the world as a responsible member of the global community and a moral example of peace and stability.

As a member of the Senate Foreign Relation Committee, I look forward to the confirmation hearings for my colleague, Senator Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, and Dr. Susan Rice as our next Ambassador to the United Nations. I also look forward to hearing from General James Jones in his role as National Security Advisor. Together, with Secretary of Defense Gates, this dynamic team will bring appropriate balance to our foreign policy and global diplomacy while formulating the most responsible and honorable way to bring our troops home from Iraq as we redirect resources to the forgotten front on the fight against terror in Afghanistan.