I like the simplicity of this amendment which is fair-minded and extends access to healthcare insurance for many who need it and with no cost to the taxpayers in Virginia. State employees would have to pay 100% of the cost for coverage for others in the household who are currently in need of insurance. The only thing that changes is access. I work at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), and I know there are many adult students who are forced to ignore their health when they can no longer access insurance through their parents’ policies. This amendment would apply to parents, partners, in-laws, or to adult children who live with a parent that works for the state. There are 16 other state governments that offer this expanded access to health insurance benefits to their employees. Access to health coverage also helps universities compete for top faculty and students – let’s enhance our position in this competition with Penn State University, Harvard, Duke, Washington & Lee, Georgetown, George Washington, and other universities who already offer this.