The program is administered by the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
Employer sponsorship of health insurance in the United States became prevalent during World War II, as one of the few ways by which employers could escape wage and price control limitations on employee wages.
Reflecting the political pressure thus created, the Congress modified the Executive Branch proposal and all existing plans were "grandfathered" into the program.
The result is numerous competing insurance plans that are available to federal employees.
[6][7] In the 2004 presidential campaign, Senator John Kerry proposed opening enrollment in this plan to all Americans.