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KINGSTON — Gay and lesbian Ulster County employees can now use the county health insurance plan for their same-sex domestic partners. The Legislature voted 19-13 to extend the benefits during Wednesday's organizational session.
The resolution was prompted by a civil action lawsuit filed by county employees Maureen Ford, Cheryl Qatar and Natalie Korniloff and the local CSEA union that represents county workers. All three women named in the litigation spoke during the public comment session, encouraging the legislators to vote in favor of the resolution. "I'm doing for my family what any of you would do for yours," said Qamar, who lives in Saugerties with her partner of 15 years. "I'm trying to protect our health." Ford, who has been partners with Korniloff for 26 years, said she has been fighting for health insurance coverage since 2003, when the state passed the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act. The resolution will change two employee manuals to include a definition of same-sex domestic partner and allow the couples to use county health insurance. The benefits will not apply to unmarried heterosexual couples. Legislator Frank Dart, D-Kingston, tried to amend the resolution to remove references to "same-sex," so it included heterosexual partners who fit the guidelines of living together for at least one year and having financial interdependence. The amendment was not seconded on the floor. Two residents encouraged the Legislature to vote the measure down, citing moral differences with the law's intentions, and belief that changes to the union's contract should not be made outside of contract negotiations. In December, the Legislature moved $111,691 into the 2007 contingency fund to help cover the costs of this resolution. The cost estimates range between $247,000 and $371,000. The changes will go into effect as soon as the lawsuit against the county is dropped or withdrawn. Source: poughkeepsiejournal.com |
