In case you haven't noticed, we've got a tremendous budget shortfall this upcoming biennium, and we're going to extend taxpayer-funded health benefits to any adult residing in a house along with a state employee???  How much is this going to cost the taxpayer?  How many police officers are we going to have to lay off in order to afford extending health coverage to renters, extended family, and the homosexual partners of state employees?

This is so beyond stupid I have to wonder if Nancy Pelosi came up with this idiotic idea.

You may want to incrementally establish nationalized healthcare like this, but there's no way in hell you're going to do it with my taxpayer dollars when a tenth of our citizens are unemployed and struggle to pay the taxes they're already burdened with.  Stop trying to bankrupt the Commonwealth and start exercising at least a facsimile of fiscal discipline before we taxpayers push to outsource all state human resources to the private sector and eliminate your job!

Obviously there would be a lot more legalese in a formal regulatory change.  But given the constitutional and legal restrictions in Virginia regarding same-sex civil unions, it seems that if the intent is to provide "spousal" coverage in this manner, the regulation will by necessity allow coverage for any adult living in a "home" with any public employee who doesn't mind entering into a financial relationship with the other adult.

A worker could have his brother's family move into the house, and the brother's entire family would become eligible for coverage under the Va medical plan.  A family could have their elderly parents move in and get coverage.  A homeowner could rent a room to a public employee and obtain state medical coverage.  A person could rent a room from a state employee and get medical coverage.

A change like this should be debated by elected officials, and enacted by the votes of our legislature -- not slipped in under the radar as a regulatory change in the waning days of an outgoing administration. 

According to the documentation, it seems they have to live with you:

The intent of this amendment is to assist employees in providing health coverage to other adult individuals residing in their household, and the dependents of those other adults who otherwise meet eligibility requirements, who are currently not eligible for the Health Benefits Plan for State Employees

It would cover any adult living in your house, and all of their children.

So if you have a big house, and your brother's family moves in, you can get the whole family covered.

I didn't see the details, but I wonder if this means that people who rent a room to a public employee could also get medical coverage.
 

Regards,

Padangos

There are no clearguidelines. there is lot of unclearity on this.

This action is a basic matter of fairness and is long overdue.  Time to act!

As a newer faculty member at the College of William and Mary, and one who dragged his partner of 12 years to the Commonwealth for what promised to be an excellent job in an excellent place, Virginia's mistreatment of gay and lesbian people is the one sticking point.  As much as we are humiliated at not being eligible for legal protections for our relationship, the extension of benefits is another matter entirely.  It is about fair employment compensation.  I do the same job that my heterosexual colleagues do and I should receive the same compensation which includes benefits.  As a newer faculty member, I am to consider, among other things, whether William and Mary is a "good fit" for me.  I can tell you that, at this point, the one, singular part of my job that causes me to look for greener pastures is the lack of fairness towards gay and lesbian people in this state.  A move to extend the benefits of employment fairly for all would be a major step in the right directon on this issue.  Universities need the best in all hiring.  Unfair hiring policies beget lackluster hiring in all areas.

It is time Virgina acknowledges their responsiblity to thier employees and their family of choice - be it partner, parent, child or other dependant that does not fit the rigid definitions of family now on the books. Virginia's place our society continues to spiral downward and backward. It is time to wake up, stand tall, and do what is reasonable and right. 

I have been an employee of this Commonwealth for 20 years. During that time I have had numerous pay cuts and my salary frozen more times than I would like to recount. I am tired of the argument that the VA taxpayer (of which I am one) is carrying the burden for state employee benefits...  It seems to me that the state employees carry the residents of Virgina by shouldering the burden of every shortfall or mismanagement that develops in Virginia. That results in a double wammy for those of us who pay taxes and work for the state.

Again - it is time for Virginia to clean up it's act, recognize the players who keep the state afloat, and design fair practices to ease this very real inequity

Thanks for the opportunity to share my thoughts.

 videospescaria.blogspot.com

Gov. Kaine must be ashamed of this regulatory action.  It's on a fast-track with no public notification.  I guess he's worried about media coverage. 

I am learning that if you want fiscal responsibility, don't vote for a democrat.  

I am strongly in favor of the proposal to finally give domestic partnership benefits to Virginia state employees. As a faculty member at the University of Virginia, I find it appalling that these benefits aren't already part of the employee package and I feel it sheds a negative light on the institution as a whole. Virginia is behind the times on this issue and it hurts the state from attracting the best qualified employees.

I agree that this action is long overdue. It's a matter of justice and equality.

If my parner of 20 years got bonked on the head, turned straight, and got married to a woman, would you still tell him there isn't money in the budget for his wife's insurance?  Of course not.  If you're going to say the state can't afford it, then you're implying that you want a certain percentage of state employees to be gay so the state doesn't have to pay for extra insurance.  In that case, why don't you at least send me a card thanking me for saving you some cash.

let's get this done.

This change is absolutely necessary if Virginia's state colleges and universities (and other state agencies!) hope to attract and retain the brightest and the best.  I fully support the move.  And quite apart from pragmatic reasons, it's simply the right thing to do.

The ability to add an adult in one's household onto health insurance for state employees would be a matter of equity and competitivenes.  For a variety of reasons, a large number of state employees have another adult in their household with whom they are not married but have an on-going relationship in which they share living expenses, care of children or needy family members, and household duties. Currently, they lack the ability to put this person on their health insurance. Some of these adults have health insurance of their own, but many do not, or lose it temporarily. Meanwhile, married couples can automatically put both members on state health insurance, even though the spouses have a relationship which in economic and emotional terms is no different than the two people in the unmarried household.  We have lost employees to states where they would be able to have health insurance for both members of the couple. I urge you as a matter of fairness and competitiveness to enact this change.

Time to do the right thing!

As stated in the Richmond Times-Dispatch: "It is about keeping our universities competitive nationally -- and our commonwealth having the decency to enable our employees to buy this coverage."

Not far from here, in the District of Columbia, "Domestic partners are eligible for health care insurance coverage, can use annual leave or unpaid leave for the birth or adoption of a dependent child or to care for a domestic partner or a partner's dependents, and can make funeral arrangements for a deceased partner",  according to the DC Department of Health, Vital Records Division.

What are we waiting for? Respectfully,

Mane Pada

This represents an inclusive regulation that is about fairness, equity--and just plain decency--toward ALL the Commonwealth's citizens. Like those of us who are heterosexual, LGBT citizens of the Commonwealth are tax payers and contributors to the Commonwealth's common good. This legislation provides us an opportunity to live up to our wonderful ideals and to make Virginia a truly attractive place to work and live. Let's be leaders in matters of justice for all our citizens--it will be money well spent. 

I strongly support the state's measure to extend access to health insurance coverage to uninsured, eligible members of state employee households who wish to purchase it.
 

We need to support the families of all of our valued state employees. It's humane and it is good business-sense, helping us retain the most talented people.

It is fundamentally unfair that some employees get more or better benefits than other employees doing the same job.  As a State employee, I have the option of putting my husband on my insurance plan; most employers offer that option.  The State of Virginia has forbidden some of its tax-paying, law-abiding citizens to marry the person that they love; if these citizens work for the State, they get fewer benefits than their co-workers. 

This proposal achieves a sensible policy without adding any tax-payer burden.  The cost is entirely the obligation of the worker.  At the same time, the new law enables our institutions to better compete for top talent.  This is especially important for instutitions of higher learning, other educational, scientific and technical programs, and our critical public health infrastructure.  Virginia has fallen behind other states, and action on this proposal is overdue.  I'm pleased that Gov. Kaine is taking no-cost steps to restore Virginia competitiveness and promote better government in the Commonwealth.

I totally support this legislation because it would advance civiil rights for ALL Virginians.

Certain rights should NOT be reserved for just a portion of the population.

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."  (MLK, Jr.)

Dear Legislators,

Please strongly consider expanding access to healthcare for state employees and their families.  For a wide range of reasons, many households have two unmarried adults in a long-term relationship who share responsibility for bills, child-rearing, home maintenance, and care of elderly relatives.  This economy has only emphasized the incredible adaptability of the American family to meet the challenges of the time.  From domestic partnerships to sisters sharing a mortgage and caring for an ailing parent, Virginia families have demonstrated flexibility and determination in the face of substantial obstacles.

Expanding benefits so that state employees can add long-standing household partners to their health insurance is not only the fair thing to do, but also makes Virginia a more competitive state for attracting a productive workforce. 

I am in support of this proposal and hope it will pass. 

Totally in favor of partner health benefits.  Only fair.

This forwarding looking proposal is about increasing health access for Virginians. 

 It increases access by expanding the availability of state-sponsored health insurance for a relatively small group of eligible Virginians, paid for by the insured individuals. These are two worthy goals: to increase health access, while not adding stress to an already stressed state budget.

 All Virginians likely know one or more friends, family members, neighbors, and coworkers/colleagues who do not have health insurance, or effective health access when they need care. 

 Our society is in a current debate about what it means for some Americans/Virginians to have health access, while many millions more of our neighbors go without care, delay care that is critically needed, end up in expensive emergency rooms or hospitalizations because they did not have access to early care, and – by some measures – meet early death because of this lack of health access.  These are adults, and these are children.

 Theses are facts found at the website of the Virginia Health Care Foundation, at http://www.vhcf.org/uninsured/profile.php

 My family is from rural Virginia, where we have lived  as hard working farmers, tradesmen, teachers, nurses, etc, who support their churches and communities.  And, we always vote (that was a family ritual, that all the children now follow).  We know that all Virginians worth their salt are concerned about the health and wellbeing of their neighbors.  We support increasing health access to more Virginians at a reasonable cost.

 This is a forwarding looking and very reasonable proposal that we support.

This new endeavor is long over due and much needed in the Commonwealth, for the following reasons:

The majority of people who will benefit from this are uninsured Virginians living with a state employee. This could include children, elderly parents, other relatives, and others, including, for example, two single mothers who are sharing a home in order to support one another with child-rearing.  That same-sex couples will also benefit from this is almost secondary, although this is a significant issue in LGBT people's lives.

in light of the 10% unemployment rate in this country, it should be apparent to others that low income citizens, people of color, people with disabilities, and others are disproportionately uninsured.  Increasing health care access in this way would only have a great social benefit to our neighbors, friends, and coworkers.

At the University of Virginia, we have experienced significant attrition among LGBT faculty, staff and graduate students, because of the lack of partner benefits. It has had a negative impact on our standing among our peer institutions. I personally know quite a few people who have moved out of state because they are tired of second-class status.  These individuals are highly-educated professionals, such as physicians, research scientists, and professors whose work should be benefiting Virginia citizens.

Governor Kaine should be commended for this creative solution to a thorny problem.  This is a pro-business, pro-education, pro-citizen, pro-health initiative. Applause all around to him and all those who worked so hard with him to develop this important proposal.

After spending the last 30 years with my domestic partner, I welcome the opportunity TO PAY FOR MY OWN insurance should these unfair laws be changed.   I am self employed and am seeing drastic and unfair price increases in my health care coverage even though I am a healthy, non-smoker, with no pre-existing conditions.  At this rate, by next year I will not be able to  afford my insurance.  I expect that should I be added to the state pool, I would be able to afford insurance due to the  discounts that result from the larger pool as well as enjoying the better quality of insurance that is afforded to these large groups. This is not a gay thing - this is a human rights thing. The short sighted and mean spirited Virginians who seek to deny me the opportunity to pay for my own insurance should simply be ashamed.

please make this change...it's long overdue.  my partner and i (legally married because we are non-gay) are retired state employees.  we have long supported the right of lgbt people to have their partners eligible to join the state health insurance group plan.    it is the fair thing to do and also makes the state more competitive when recruiting. 

This is exactly what Virginia needs!  Thanks Governor Kaine!

Thank you for this proposal, Gov. Kaine.  A level economic playing field is important for attracting business to the Commonwealth, and creating jobs. 

Thank you for this proposal, Gov. Kaine.  I fully support this overdue change to make Virginia a state that can attract the best and brightest personnel.

Domestic benefits should be "inclusive" and allow employees to provide security for themselves and their families, as they define them. Especially in the current environment of health care reform initiatives.

This is only fair. 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. There's no reason why state employees shouldn't have expanded benefits like this as well.

This is an important step to making Virginia a more fair place.

Strongly in favor of the proposal supporting the need for access to health care insurance benefits for OQA !!!  It's the least we can do--we have a long way to go towards equality for all Virginians.

Absolutely necessary in order to attract the best and brightest workers to our state government.  And besides that it's the right thing to do.

THis is LONG overdue! 

While the Agency Statement does iterate:

We are living in a country that values equality regardless of race, religion, or sexual preference.  It's about time we start practicing true equality.  I say yes to this proposal.

I am 1000% in favor of this change in the state health insurance plan.  Health care equality now!

Every adult should have the freedom to choose the partner of his/her choice, whether heterosexual or homosexual. Providing benefits for heterosexual partners only is a discriminatory policy that denies this freedom to many Virginians.

Homosexual couples deserve the same benefits that everyone else has. It's time for Virginia to enact a new fair and just policy that guarantees equal benefits for all partners, regardless of sexual orientation.

With my individual insurance policy going up $100 per year, it is time that I become eligible to share in the insurance of my partner of 24 years. Bravo Mr. Kaine. This is long overdue and an absolute necessity for all of Virginia's families.

Unfortunately, our state simply cannot afford this until our unemployed are back to work and generating more revenue. Mandating E-Verify and IMAGE Program for all jobs, NO "additional" government dollars, getting our unemployed back to work and stopping a huge number of illegals from going to our E.R. and sticking us with the bill, as acknowledged by Obama-PRICELESS!!! For more benefits http://OfficeSupportServicesYorktown.com/Benefits_of_E-Verify..html

I think this regulatory change is a good idea and is overdue. 

Totally agree with this proposal. It is time to recognize all residents of Virginia who pay taxes and are entitled to equal rights under the constitution of the United States. Unfortunately our Virginia constitution does not and shame on us! From what I have read this will not impact any of the other employees in any way. ......Be helpful to know all the facts. I would  add to my comments if there are any private companies who do not offer this access they too should  be challenged and do so.

This is long overdue for Virginia! The best way for the commonwealth to remain competitive in the nation is to allow access to health care benefits for ALL citizens. All of our state employees, including those in state-run healthcare facilities, colleges and universities, and civil service agencies, deserve equal benefits - and those who can not get them here will go elsewhere! Keep the best of the best in Virginia by allowing access to health care insurance benefits!!!

As a state employee, I support this action.

It will increase every employee's opportunity to care for loved ones, who are not otherwise covered. Such an action will improve the health and well-being of Virginians. 

On a personal level, the action will ease my mind and make our family more stable.

Such an action will also improve retention of state employees, who may consider moving to other states that already offer similar benefits.