Monday, October 18, 2010
Homosexual, bisexual and transgender employees of the federal government can’t even treat their partners like a dog. That’s because under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, a worker has the option of buying health coverage for their canine companion, but not for a domestic partner, thanks to the Defense of Marriage Act that banned gay marriage in 1996.
President Barack Obama has said he supports repealing the anti-gay marriage law, but hasn’t pushed Congress to do so. As a matter of fact, his Department of Justice continues to defend it in court.
Instead, Obama told federal agencies to review their benefits plans with an eye towards extending benefits as long-term health insurance, credit union membership, access to fitness facilities, and planning and counseling services to domestic partners.
Meanwhile, Aetna sent an email to federal employees offering discounts for insurance plans for their pets that assured potential buyers that “There are no maximum age limits to insure your pet.”
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Federal Employees Can Purchase Health Insurance For Their Pets, But Not Their Same-Sex Partners (by Igor Volsky, Wonk Room, Think Progress)
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