Source: WLNS TV News
Same sex couples could soon be denied health insurance in Ingham County. Right now county employees are eligible to receive those benefits for their gay partners. Some commissioners say it's a direct violation of the law. County officials say they need to end the practice soon.
County employee Joe Darby has been crunching the numbers.
He's trying to figure out how he and his partner will be able to afford their medical bills if his employer takes away their same sex benefits.
"My partner is very ill and relies on health care coverage," Darby said.
Darby has worked for Ingham County for the past nine years. He's always carried his partner on his health insurance. Now county officials say Darby and other gay employees simply cant do it anymore.
"That means they would not be able to get their prescriptions. They would not be able to go to the doctor," Darby said.
Ingham County Commission Chair Marc Thomas says it's part of the state marriage amendment passed thee years ago.
"The county attorney says we must end it as soon as possible. It's not legal under the constitution," Thomas said
The amendment, he says, doesn't leave the county many options. In fact, the only way they can keep providing domestic partner benefits is to give them to every employee whether they're gay or straight.
"We want to be fair," Thomas continued, "so we want to take a hard look at whether we can afford this."
But the reality is the county is facing a three million dollar deficit. Thomas says in all likelihood they won't be able to provide these benefits much longer. That has people like Joe Darby and his partner afraid of what's ahead. Ingham County commissioners say they won't make any decisions on the issue until after the new year. They hope to come up with a replacement to the same sex benefit plan in that time.
Full article: WLNS TV 6 Lansing Jackson Michigan News and Weather - WLNS.COM | Same Sex Couples May Lose Health Insurance
Last modified: 12 Dec 07 10:10
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