Emily was covered by her partner’s insurance, according to Minnesota State Employees domestic partner benefits. She returned to school full time to pursue her doctorate degree and then gave birth to the couple’s first child in 2003.
Unable to return to work because of pregnancy-related illness, Emily was horrified to learn that elimination of domestic partner benefits from the state’s insurance policy was being proposed as a budget-balancing solution. Not only was Emily forced to find coverage for herself, the couple’s son was not covered until the second parent adoption was completed five months following his birth.
“I don’t think most Minnesotans want to live in a state in which the health benefits of a working couple and their family are sacrificed for budget balancing,” said Emily. “If the state wants to compete with other major employers for the best people, it needs to offer benefits comparable to what Minnesota companies are providing.”
