LGBT government employees who are raising families got some good news to kick off their weekend: the Obama Administration and the Office of Personnel Management have proposed a change to federal employee benefits that would extend health-care coverage to the children of same-sex partners.
The change, an amendment to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program that would allow government workers to add children up to age 26 to their insurance, was the result of a year of advocacy work by the Family Equality Council.
“Most of the two million children raised by LGBT parents live in states where their parents cannot marry, cannot secure legal ties to their own kids and cannot get their children covered under a health insurance plan,” said Emily Hecht-McGowan, Family Equality Council Public Policy Director. “This rule change means that federal workers can now be assured that a high fever, broken arm or debilitating illness won’t jeopardize their child’s health or their family’s finances.”
Granster
Let me get this straight. The children of same sex couples are eligible for health insurance coverage but the spouse of the federal employee who is co-raising these childrern is not eligible?
Granster
How can that be constitutionally justified?
Nigel
The stock photo for this article is wrong. The medical symbol has one snake and no wings, this is a totally different symbol. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caduceus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_of_Asclepius
Soakman
Also, this would not apply to state workers, correct?
Hyhybt
@Nigel: The photo is fine. Your definition of “wrong” is outdated by well over a century.
Qwerty
@Granster: I’m sure that would be correct. DOMA would not allow coverage for the spouse of the federal employee. It’s way past time to DUMP DOMA.