SAMBA announces merger with SSEHA
And a new FEHB plan option for 2005

Rockville, MD (September 20, 2004) -- The Special Agents Mutual Benefit Association (SAMBA) announced today that the Secret Service Employee Health Association (SSEHA) has been merged into SAMBA.  The merger has received all necessary government approvals.  SAMBA's President, William P. O'Hanlon, commented that, "This merger will allow SAMBA to improve the FEHB benefit offerings for the federal law enforcement community that our combined organizations serve.  SAMBA members, which now include former SSEHA members, will enjoy the benefits of the merger soon.  We thank SSEHA's leadership for their service and for accepting our merger proposal."

Since 1948, SAMBA has offered health and life insurance plans to active and retired FBI employees.  SAMBA has participated in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program since its inception in 1960.  In the mid-1980's, SAMBA began expanding its membership to include employees and annuitants of most other federal law enforcement agencies, as well as those civilian agencies directly involved in protecting the homeland against terrorist attacks.  SSEHA was formed in 1987 for the purpose of offering an FEHB plan to active and retired employees of the U.S. Secret Service.

The merger of the two not-for-profit associations will enable SAMBA to offer its membership a choice of a high option health plan or a standard option plan.  For 2005, members enrolled in the current SAMBA health plan will automatically be enrolled in the SAMBA high option.  Members enrolled in the current SSEHA health plan will automatically be enrolled in the SAMBA/SSEHA standard option next year.  Of course, members enrolled in either option will have the opportunity to make an enrollment change during the upcoming Open Season, which may include switching between SAMBA's High and Standard Options.  What's more, all employees and annuitants of the FBI, the Secret Service, the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security and certain other law enforcement components will now be eligible to enroll in either of SAMBA's two health plan options during the fall open season.

Information regarding SAMBA's 2005 rates and benefits for both health plan options will be mailed to all SAMBA members, including former SSEHA members, prior to the fall open season.  Mr. O'Hanlon said, "We are looking forward to sharing this good news with our members who will see more choices, both in our two options and our new nationwide PPO network sponsored by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield*."  Information will also be available on the SAMBA web site, www.SambaPlans.com.