2584
(0 votes, average 0 out of 5)
Written by Lisa Neff, Staff writer
Mar 24, 2011
U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer and U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner recently introduced legislation intended to equalize COBRA benefits for same-sex couples and their families.
COBRA, or the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, guarantees continued health coverage to qualified beneficiaries of an employer health plan. COBRA was intended to help families cover gaps in health insurance – from the date one job ends to when benefits at a new job kick in.
But Boxer, a Democrat from California, and Weiner, a Democrat from New York, say a fix is needed.
The act doesn’t protect same-sex couples and their children. COBRA mandates that employees, their spouses and their dependent children can continue their health coverage, but federal law does not recognize gay marriages or partnerships.
“All of our families deserve equal access to health insurance,” Boxer said. “This bill would help ensure that domestic partners and their families will be able to keep their health coverage if their partner loses their job.”
