I strongly support this move for several reasons. First, this move will allow one additional adult living in house be granted insurance. This is particularly important for families who have a son or daughter with a preexisting medical condition who is of age to carry insurace for an affordable rate at no additional cost to the state. The move will also allow nontraditional families to have insurance.

This motion does not violate the state constitution, as soon to be Governor McDonald has previously ruled.

Virginia Tech has lost a number of really qualified professors because other states and institutions have this provision. In some cases, the state had paid significant money to equip a scientific lab for this individual, only to have the person move on.

Most basically, it is the right thing to do. It is a sad state of affairs that there are many in our country who cannot afford adequate health insurance, even if they are working. From personal experience, I know that individual policies can cost of $1000 per month, even if the preexisting condition occurred many years in the past. To be able to purchase insurance at a more realistic rate because one is living with or is a family member of a state employee will be a very important step forward.