jeanne_d_arc's Journal

There goes my health care
As the wife of a grad student this directly affects me. I'm now covered on L's health plan.

Michigan high court says gay partners can't get health benefits
Posted by David Eggert | The Associated Press May 07, 2008 11:48AM
Categories: Breaking News, State
The Michigan Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a 2004 ban against gay marriage also blocks governments and state universities from offering health insurance to the partners of gay workers.

The 5-2 decision affirms a state Court of Appeals ruling.

Up to 20 public universities, community colleges, school districts and local governments in Michigan have benefits policies covering at least 375 gay couples.

Some of the plans began as far back as the early 1990s.

After the appeals court ruled in February 2007, universities and local governments rewrote their policies to try to comply with the gay marriage ban -- so the effect of Wednesday's decision was unclear.

The new policies no longer specifically acknowledge domestic partnerships but make sure "other qualified adults," including gay partners, are eligible for medical and dental care.

The adults have to live together for a certain amount of time, be unmarried, share finances and be unrelated.

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