AP source: Same-sex partners to get fed benefits

[LnGrrrR]

He's pretty much "makin it rain" for all govt employees right now. I don't have a serious problem with this. Drop in the bucket, quite frankly.

Woot! Go government work. *does the mashed potato*

[Wild Cobra]

wc: in texas, just say you're married and you're married (common law)

enjoy the joint hc benefits

Just north Washington has Common Law marriage. I don't think it's that easy though. I think for one, you have to be together for six months, but I'm not sure.

I've never heard of instances used, but in theory, a couple living together can be forced to split assets as if married when they separate. I'm sure it's happened.

[Supergirl]

that's not a good assumption because very few states recognize civil unions/gay marriages.

I don't see the big deal here. Ultimately it's the employees who are going to be paying for the cost of that coverage. If they want to pay to insure someone who they are not in a legally binding relationship with, opposite sex or same sex, then that's fine by me. Those employees would be wise to keep in mind though that while their relationship with said partner is not binding their committment to pay those insurance premiums for the remainder of that enrollment period is. Sure would suck to add your girlfriend/boyfriend to your insurance only to break up a month later and then be stuck paying for their insurance for the rest of the year.

+1