Cincinnati Enquirer, OH
07-14-06
U of L covers domestic partners
UK abandoned similar benefits proposal in 2002
BY MARK PITSCH | THE COURIER-JOURNAL
Domestic partners of University of Louisville employees will be included in school
health insurance coverage, following a 14-1 vote by trustees Thursday.
Such coverage could begin Jan. 1, pending a competitive bidding process for
insurers. Provost Shirley Willihnganz said the university needs to offer those
benefits to attract and retain good employees.
Donna Tinsley Denny was the lone trustee to vote against the proposal. She said
she did so not to oppose employees with domestic partners but because the
school had not provided enough information, including costs to the other workers.
U of L is the first public university in Kentucky to authorize such a plan. The
University of Kentucky considered such a plan in 2002 but did not act after
several lawmakers said most Kentuckians would find it "repulsive and
unpopular."
Kentucky's six other public universities don't offer domestic-partner benefits.
Northern Kentucky University is researching whether to begin doing so,
spokesman Christopher Cole said. The Faculty Senate had requested that it
consider the matter.
"Most of the companies in the area have domestic partner benefits. In the
national competition for talent - academic or corporate - domestic partner
benefits are sometimes a factor. Companies that have such benefits are also
often seen as having progressive cultures of tolerance," Cole said in a statement.
Among the issues needing more research is the cost of such a program and the
ways "domestic partner" could be defined, he said.
At the University of Louisville, trustees also are expected to consider whether to
extend coverage to "others for whose welfare an employee is legally
responsible," said John Drees, a U of L spokesman.
He said that could include an elderly parent, for example.
"We're in a competitive marketplace. We're competing with the top universities
for faculty and the top companies for staff," Drees said.
Drees said details of both proposals have not been determined, including how
many employees would be affected, what the benefits would cost and who would
be eligible.
But he said the policy for domestic partners would allow homosexual and
heterosexual companions of employees to receive health coverage through the
school.
U of L employees now can receive coverage for themselves, their spouses, and
their children and legal dependents.
Sam Marcosson, associate dean of the U of L law school, said he's gay but not in
a relationship.
"It's something I could benefit from and that would be very important to me, so
I'm thrilled the university is considering it," Marcosson said.
State Sen. Jack Westwood, R-Crescent Springs, opposes the idea.
"It's not a good policy," he said. "It can only expand obligations that currently
aren't in place or shouldn't be in place."
Westwood is one of four Republican lawmakers who wrote to UK President Lee
Todd in May 2002 urging him not to implement health benefits for domestic
partners.
"We hope the university will not design a benefit package that will place it at
cross purposes with the majority of the General Assembly (or) require it to make
policy statements that most Kentuckians would find repulsive and unpopular,"
wrote Westwood and Sens. Katie Stine of Fort Thomas, Richard Roeding of
Lakeside Park and Vernie McGaha of Russell Springs.
The letter also reminded Todd that UK "depends upon the state for its
maintenance and support."
UK doesn't offer health coverage for domestic partners, said Jay Blanton, a
school spokesman. He said the letter from lawmakers did not affect any
decisions made regarding benefits.
Blanton said Thursday that the school is undergoing a review of employee pay
and benefits but said that coverage for domestic partners is not being
considered.
Westwood said Thursday that the letter was not meant to threaten UK. Asked if
he thought the legislature might take action if U of L offers coverage for domestic
partners, Westwood said no.
"That's a local decision," he said.
But Roeding said Thursday he believes the legislature could take action,
although he declined to specify what.
Roeding said he stands behind the 2002 letter.
"The legislature is very emphatic that marriage is between one man and one
woman, and they're trying to get around that. I don't think that's right," he said.
If professors and university presidents want such benefits, they should pay for
them out of their own salaries, he said. Health costs are so high that, if anything,
universities should be cutting benefits, not expanding them, Roeding said.
According to the Human Rights Campaign, a Washington-based gay-rights
group, 298 universities across the country offer health insurance to domestic
partners.
In 2001, the number was 158.
Indiana University, Iowa State University, Ohio State University and the
University of Pittsburgh are among those that offer the coverage, according to
the campaign.
Bill Pierce, a U of L pharmacology professor and trustee, said the Faculty Senate
has supported domestic-partner benefits for years.
"It's the right thing to do. If you have employees and they're entitled to benefits, it
ought to be applied to everybody," he said. "Two, it's just good business."
U of L should offer the benefits so it can be competitive, Pierce said
Enquirer staff writer Karen Gutiérrez contributed to this report. E-mail
kgutierrez@nky.com or mpitsch@courier-journal.com.