I support the state's proposal completely, but I have two serious concerns about the use of the term "partner benefits" as we are discussing this proposal:
1. This is by no means "partner benefits". It is merely an extension of the availability of healthcare benefits to one adult (and ONLY one adult) residing in the same household as a state employee. That additional person may be your brother, mother, or straight or gay partner. The employee will be responsible for 100 percent of the cost (employee plus employer contribution to the monthly premiums). No funding is needed from either the Commonwealth, the state agency at which the employee works, or the taxpayer. At least READ the proposal before making comments on it.
2. If supporters of this proposal continue to refer to it as "domestic partner benefits" it will fail very quickly. Like it or not, neither our elected officials nor the voting public are ready to support full domestic partner benefits. People will think it means paying for a portion of insurance benefits, automatic death benefits to retirement and pensions, tax benefits, etc that married couples and their children enjoy. Those things DO cost money. This health insurance proposal is none of those things. Of course gay and lesbian state employees should have the same rights as married couples, but Virginia is nowhere near ready for that yet.
