I support amending Section IVAC 55 320(E) to include adults, other than spouses and unemancipated or incapacitated children, as participants in the Health Benefits Plan for State employees.  This modest proposal permits employees to choose to cover an "otherwise qualified adult" at their own expense and without cost to taxpayers.  Who could rationally object to that? More people get covered by health insurance (isn't that our public policy?) and the taxpayers pay nothing!.

Offering such benefits will bring state agencies and higher education institutions closer in line to prevailing benefits practices of employers of choice in Virginia and across the nation, and enhance recruiting and retention of the best and the brightest. 66% of the top private employers in Virginia offer at least this level of 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).

This move is long overdue.  Offering expanded benefits brings us in line with business best practices, is good for Virginia, good for Virginia taxpayers and good for our families.

I am very much in favor.