| Action | This action will amend section 1VAC 55 320(E) to include adults, other than spouses and incapacitated adult children, as participants in the Health Benefits Plan for State Employees |
| Stage | NOIRA |
| Comment Period | Ended on 12/23/2009 |
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Enactment of this proposal is critical and I ask that action be taken immediately to do so.
First, it would would permit employees an additional choice of health insurance coverage available at their expense -- something that will help address gaps in health care coverage while not increasing costs to the government.
Enactment will also bring Virginia in line with the prevailing practices of major employers across the nation (For example, 66% of the top private employers in Virginia offer such benefits. Almost 60% of the Fortune 500 companies choose to offer such expanded benefits to their employees. At least 12 Virginia-based Fortune 500 or Fortune 1000 companies offer such benefits, including: Altria Group, Capital One, CarMax, Dominion Resources, Gannett, Genworth, MCI Group, MeadWestvaco, Owens & Minor, Philip Morris USA, SprintNextel, and SLM Corp. (Sallie Mae).
Enactment will help Virginia to attract the "best and brightest" and spur continued business development.