Action | This action will amend section 1VAC 55 320(E) to include adults, other than spouses and incapacitated adult children, as participants in the Health Benefits Plan for State Employees |
Stage | NOIRA |
Comment Period | Ended on 12/23/2009 |
There are many reasons to support the extension of health care benefits to domestic partners. Those of basic fairness won't be accepted by all, but I hope that self-interest will be more persuasive. In order to recruit and retain the most talented men and women to our work force and to strengthen the Commonwealth, we must be competitive--and in today's environment that means providing health care benefits to domestic partners. Most leading businesses and universities already provide these benefits; we in the Commonwealth do not. This is short-sighted and against our interests. As the chief academic officer of the College of William and Mary, I know at first hand the disadvantage we operate with. I urge that we change our policy and strengthen the Commonwealth.
Michael R. Halleran
Provost
College of William & Mary