The consequences to society when access to healthcare benefits is limited to specific conditions of relationship is tremendous.  The drain on employees who are struggling to assist aging parents, adult children who are just getting started on their own, or a designated domestic partner COSTS something.  The costs are direct to the employee but are also borne indirectly by the state agency, the state and therefore, the taxpayer in terms of productivity losses.

I have an adult daughter who upon college graduation is facing one of the worst job markets in recent history.  In less than 2 years she'll be dropped as a dependent on the current policy, when in this timeframe, it's highly unlikely that she will obtain employment that grants her access to insurance.  There is a growing majority of uninsured young adults for this very reason.  The consequences are huge.  The debt that they might incur with no insurance coverage- especially considering that this age group is more likely to sustain injury by motor vehicle accidents, have higher rates of STD's, etc.- adds to the financial disadvantages that they already face.

I applaud governor Kaine's proposal to increase access to healthcare to the people cared for by state employees.  This makes for a stronger Commonwealth!