Re: BOCC AGENDA FOR WEEK OF APRIL 12, 1999

["Susan Palmer" <susanp@moscow.com>]

Judi,

I appreciate your inquiry. You ask important questions. My disclaimer is
that many of your questions I cannot answer. However, I do have some
observations.

Although I am unabashedly in support of health benefit coverage for 
domestic partners, there are several important issues that Judi raises.

First, how is it that "family" members who are not themselves directly
employed by an employer EVER became ENTITLED to fringe benefits such
as health insurance in the first place? I applaud the concept since the
non-employed household
members often contribute significantly to the well being of the employed
household member (e.g.,  meal preparation, child care, household errands,
maintenance, general replenishment, etc.) Although an employer may not
be "obligated" to provide benefits beyond to those who are direct
employees,
there is something benevolent and decent about extending those benefits
to other household members. Indirectly, those household members generally
contribute to the employer's success--aiding in the productivity of the
employee.
If the county chooses to deny benefits to domestic partners, I would urge
the
county to be consistent and deny benefits to non-employed family or
household
members.

Second, as for how many current partners would be added with the adoption
of the domestic
partners program, my prediction is that it would add ONE person this year.
Of course,
if it passed and I was hired by the county, it would add TWO. 

Third, my understanding is that what is currently being considered by the
commissioners
is merely health benefits. I have heard no discussion (or requests) of
other benefits. Generally
an employee may designate anyone (family or household member or not) 
as the beneficiary of life, retirement, or accidental death benefits if
they are available.

Fourth, what about dissolution? This is an important question for
married couples as well as domestic partners. There should be some
standardized 
mechanism by which the employer (county) should be informed that the
benefits 
should be terminated with the termination of the relationship. Whatever
procedures
are currently used for married couples should be implemented for domestic
partners
as well.

Finally, with regard to what other businesses or government entities offer
domestic 
partner benefits, they are plentiful...although generally outside of the
state of Idaho.
At my office I have a list of government entities who recognize domestic
partnerships.
I'm willing to retrieve that and pass it along. Private business has been
generally more
progressive about this than government.

Given that 43 million Americans are not covered by any health insurance
whatsoever,
it seems to me that Latah County could do its part by making that
42,999,999 or so.

Thanks, Judi. I hope my comments help.
Susan Palmer
----------
> From: Judi Thompson <FaircoMiniMart@turbonet.com>
> To: vision2020@moscow.com
> Subject: Re: BOCC AGENDA FOR WEEK OF APRIL 12, 1999
> Date: Friday, April 09, 1999 1:24 PM
> 
> As I look at the domestic partners issues several questions come to
> mind.
> 
> Can anyone tell me what the benefit program is for current spouses of
> Latah County employees?  Also what cost does the employee pay for spouse
> and dependent children?  What is the county's share of the costs?
> 
> How many current partners would be added with the adoption of the
> domestic partners program?
> 
> Does this include health insurance, life insurance, and retirement
> benefits along with accidental death benefits?  Does this concept
> "match" with what the state of Idaho does for its employees?
> 
> What other agencies or employers are offering coverage for domestic
> partners?
> 
> I also want to make sure I understand the definition of domestic
> partner.  This includes same sex partners and unmarried heterosexual
> partners that have lived together for 6 months.  How does the county
> employee dissolve this "relationship" and coverage?  Will the county and
> insurance companies face lawsuits from partners when and if the
> relationship dissolves regarding dates of coverage?
> 
> I have a lot more questions than answers.  Can anyone help clarify this
> issue for me?
> 
> Judi Thompson