Kaine plans to extend health benefits to same-sex partners

[Blue_Tires]

RICHMOND -- Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has directed his staff to begin putting into effect a proposal that would allow same-sex partners to be covered under the state's employee health plan.

The incoming governor, Robert F. McDonnell (R), who has sparred with Kaine (D) on gay rights issues, expressed concern Thursday about the potential cost of the proposal but did not criticize what is expected to be a controversial one.

"My first question is, what the cost to the state by expanding those policies?" McDonnell said at a news conference at the state Capitol. "I am all for using business -- public and private -- to expand health-care coverage. . . . But what I don't know is, what is the cost that has to be borne by the state government versus the individual new subscriber?"

The proposal, which comes weeks before Kaine leaves office, would expand benefits to qualified adults who live in the same house as an insured state employee. Those adults could include heterosexual and homosexual partners, roommates, children and other family members, such as an aunt or grandfather.

Sara Wilson, director of the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management, said officials hope to offer the expanded benefit at no additional expense to the state because employees would be required to pay the entire cost. She said that state officials have been discussing the proposal for months but that she was not directed until mid-November to begin implementing the change.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/03/AR2009120304329.html

Nice gesture, I guess...But obviously futile -- McDonnell, cautious enough to avoid showing his "OMG KILL ALL TEH EVIL QUEERS111!!!!" -side will kill it citing cost reasons...Or simply let it languish long enough for the jerkoffs in the state legislature to pounce on it with their 'pro-traditional famlee' rhetoric...

[mitchtv]

1. I'll believe it when it happens

not before. I don't trust, nor believe TK

[Blue_Tires]

2. well he's on the way out, so it a feel-good snack for both sides

not to sound overly cynical, but Kaine gets to earn a couple of points with his voters for bringing it forward, and the incoming governor earns points with HIS base for killing it

[mitchtv]

3. sounds about right

Kaine is a proven homophobe

[TokenQueer]

4. Tim Kaine is a piece of shit, a homophobe and a bigot.

Where has he been on this issue for the last FOUR YEARS? The timing of this announcement is highly suspect and, as pointed out in a post above, an empty pointless gesture as he turns the state over to McDonnell the whack-job Christian.