This simple, one sentence amendment would greatly improve the well-being of all Virginians. It would apply to parents, partners, in-laws, or to adult children who live with a parent that works for the state. And it would make affordable health insurance available to more Virginia households and families.  It's about time the state of Virginia joined the other state, city and county governments, colleges and universities that have also expanded healthcare benefits to their employees. Almost 60 percent of Fortune 500 companies today choose to offer such expanded benefits to their employees.  We need to do this to remain competitive. This updated benefits policy is about keeping our state a welcoming and fair-minded place to recruit, reward and retain the best public employees.
 
This proposal is a great social benefit for our neighbors and friends and coworkers, which is the way it should be in a Commonwealth.

7. The proposal would not cost the taxpayers anything. Employees would have to pay 100% of the cost of OQA premiums for coverage. This would be in contrast to current state benefits that pay over 80% of the cost of premiums for employees, spouses and covered dependents.