Maryland State Benefits for Same-Sex Couples
All right -- this is overdue, but it's a fine step forward. From The Gazette:
This is fine for state employees, but what about people who work in private industry? C'mon, let's get fair coverage for everybody.
Or as the state of Maryland would say, "a terrorist group."
It seems like things are taking a change for the better, everywhere you look. Hope is in the air, change is in the air.
Gov. Martin O'Malley has submitted regulations that would extend health benefits to state employees in same-sex relationships, an O'Malley spokesman said Monday.
The couples' dependent children would also be covered, said the spokesman, Shaun Adamec.
The regulations have been submitted to the Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review Committee, a panel comprising 10 senators and 10 delegates. It reviews state regulations with regard to the legislative prerogative and procedural due process.
"It's consistent with the governor's goal to extend affordable health care to more Marylanders," Adamec said. "And it is consistent with what a number of Maryland counties and private companies already do." O'Malley offers same-sex couples health benefits
This is fine for state employees, but what about people who work in private industry? C'mon, let's get fair coverage for everybody.
Adamec said the state estimates the extension of benefits would cost between $1 million and $3 million. Seventy-five to 300 people are expected to take advantage with the change, he said.
The change was announced at a rally of hundreds of people conducted by Equality Maryland, a gay rights advocacy group.
Or as the state of Maryland would say, "a terrorist group."
It seems like things are taking a change for the better, everywhere you look. Hope is in the air, change is in the air.
posted by JimK at 9:58 PM
15 Comments:
I am glad to see these benefits go state-wide. In MCPS we have had same-sex partner benefits for years.
I agree, Jim, hope is in the air---this very fresh air full of positive change.
Hey, can straight people who have a roommate who has no health insurance take advantage of this?
How can that be stopped?
See, the thing is, AnonBigot, straight people can get married, gay people can´t in Maryland (but it won´t be that way for much longer). Just another reason to legalize gay marriage.
On the other hand, I am all about that roommate being covered if the roommate with insurance agrees to it. I think it is better to be insured. Just another reason for socialized/universal health care!
Not sure everyone would agree with you, Derrick. Even if you want universal insurance, the situation seems inequitable.
In most gay schemes, both of the guys work so why is this needed?
Well, for one thing, sometimes our family members fall ill and are not insured.
Your logic is off; what about in most households today where both the husband and wife work? Why do they need primary and secondary insurace?
Your bigotry and ignorance will never be justified, AnonBigot.
That's true.
In most homosexual conspiracies, both of the partners in crime are employed so why is this needed?
In marriages, sometimes the wife will stay home and manage the children's affairs. We try to encourage that because it's good for society.
But who wants to encourage some fat gay guy sitting home eating Cheetos and watching TV all day and getting free health insurance on the public dole?
That's true!
Who wants to encourage that?
Once again... LMAO @ AnonBigot, et. al.
There are also many stay-at-home fathers in BOTH straight and gay relationships. Is it wrong for a man to stay at home and take care of his children? I don´t think so. Of course, you are also quite sexist so, in your strange mind, that would be wrong (but it isn´t!!).
Your logic continues to be off.
The fathers are fine too, Derrick. If the wife works, the Dad should be encouraged to stay home and manage the children's affairs. That's good for society.
It's the fat gay guys with the Cheetos and the all-day TV that should get out and earn their insurance. We shouldn't have to support that with our tax dollars! The state of Maryland is angling for bailout money. They should cut stuff like this out first.
btw, did you get Montezuma's revenge yet?
It's the fat gay guys with the Cheetos and the all-day TV that should get out and earn their insurance.
Fat gals with the Cheetos and the all-day TV should get out and earn their insurance too.
So why is it OK to diss the fat people?
At one point, I could earn .42 an hour (accounting for expenses, daycare, etc.) to work away from home while my first son was small. I chose to do this because I felt his care was improved at a daycare instead of with me (not a home-body). I needed to work for my own sanity as well. It is not relevant whether I am male or female, had a partner (other than that fact allowed me the choice at all), or was heavier than medically recommended for my height/age/gender.
When later, I no longer had a choice, I paid 52% of my take-home pay to daycare one summer in order to maintain medical insurance for myself and 2 young sons by working. I refused to declare bankruptcy and fought for 4 years to obtain credit when my most serious faults were having paid ALL debts of myself and my former spouse and being divorced. My weight (heavy or light) still has nothing to do with it.
Even the brief time I spent in the "lap of luxury" at home with my first child... I saw less TV and may even have lowered my weight through the daily gyrations necessary to raise children... To be honest, it was easier to WORK!
Get a clue and don't fault anyone who has the love and patience to take care of a home for a child or children by ridiculing them and calling them names. "Fat" is not a bad word...merely a state of being. Generalizations should be a 4-letter word.
You're right MoCoMum.
Kids can use a stay-at-home parent. Any parent willing to do that should be supported by our society.
One thing I've noticed is a strong antipathy toward children in the gay community.
Kids can use a stay-at-home parent. Any parent willing to do that should be supported by our society.
If you believe what you said, "any parent willing to [stay home] should be supported," then, barryo, why did you say:
But who wants to encourage some fat gay guy sitting home eating Cheetos and watching TV all day and getting free health insurance on the public dole?
What if the fat guy is the one home with the kids? He deserves to be supported.
One thing I've noticed is a strong antipathy toward children in the gay community.
Which gay community did you hang out in and notice that? Gays are parents with children to raise just like straight people. There are same sex couples raising children right here in Montgomery County. The stay-at-home-parent should be supported.
I was talking about the fat gay guy without kids, obviously.
If some fat gay guys have kids, that's a shame but the best thing is for one of the parents to stay home, if possible.
Post a Comment
<< Home