June 30, 2009

Federal Government is Best Excuse for Anti-Gay Companies to Continue Discrimination, Even in Iowa

For your consideration: the case of Messrs. Jacob Holman and Michael Walker, Iowa newlyweds who can’t get spousal health insurance, as long as our glorious federal government continues to provide an excuse for gay-un-friendly companies (in this case, Methodist Health System) to blithely and unassailably continue their policies of anti-gay discrimination:

Even in Iowa, married gays are still unequal in work benefits

Jacob Holman didn’t think twice as he wrote the name of his new husband, Michael Walker, in the space marked “spouse” on the application form.

Holman, a respiratory therapist, didn’t expect much to change after he wedded his longtime boyfriend in a quiet ceremony in May. But he was hoping to provide health insurance for Walker, a full-time student.

But Walker could not be added to the company insurance plan. Holman’s employer, Methodist Health System, follows the federal definition of marriage and does not consider the couple married.

Three months have passed since the Iowa Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage, and gay couples are finding out that being married doesn’t necessarily translate into spousal health benefits.

Of 27 major Iowa and Nebraska employers contacted by The World-Herald, four provide health insurance benefits to gay married couples.

Most employers have not changed their health insurance benefits to include gay spouses and, according to federal law, they don’t have to. …

Ed Rider, spokesman for Methodist Health System, said that until the courts rule on the differences between federal and state laws, “we will continue to follow federal interpretations and definitions related to marriage.”

There isn’t a conflict between state and federal laws, said Camilla Taylor, a lawyer for Lambda Legal, a New York City-based gay rights group.

“That’s simply an excuse for discrimination,” Taylor said. “The federal law is a floor. … Companies are free to do the right thing.” …

For now, newlywed Michael Walker will continue to go without health insurance. He plans to forgo preventative care such as routine physicals or dental visits. He and Holman hope that, in spite of federal laws, Methodist and other employers will change their policies and see them as married.

“I love my job, and I love the people I work with,” said Holman. “It would be hard to change jobs for insurance, but it’s pretty important.”

I’d say it is. Love my job or not, I couldn’t imagine working for a company that considered me less of a human being than its straight employees — and certainly not one that says my wife isn’t as good as everybody else’s spouse.

And I certainly wouldn’t gamble with my wife’s health if I had the opportunity elsewhere to provide her with insurance.