Dear Legislators,

Please strongly consider expanding access to healthcare for state employees and their families.  For a wide range of reasons, many households have two unmarried adults in a long-term relationship who share responsibility for bills, child-rearing, home maintenance, and care of elderly relatives.  This economy has only emphasized the incredible adaptability of the American family to meet the challenges of the time.  From domestic partnerships to sisters sharing a mortgage and caring for an ailing parent, Virginia families have demonstrated flexibility and determination in the face of substantial obstacles.

Expanding benefits so that state employees can add long-standing household partners to their health insurance is not only the fair thing to do, but also makes Virginia a more competitive state for attracting a productive workforce.