Columbus Councilmember Ginther Applauds Passage of Domestic Partner Health Benefits

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release: November 22, 2010

For More Information:

John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798

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Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther applauded his Council colleagues this evening after they voted unanimously in favor of providing health benefits to domestic partners of City employees. The ordinance (1077-2010) also brings Columbus into compliance with provisions of the 2009 federal Affordable Care Act, and the 2009 State of Ohio budget which allows children to remain covered under their parents’ insurance until age of 28.

"By voting in favor of this ordinance tonight, we have made good on a long-standing commitment to ensure that all City employees are treated fairly and that they have equal access to health care benefits,” said Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther. “I am very thankful for the hard work put in by my Council colleagues and the administration to pass this ordinance, and I applaud their follow-through on this important issue.”

The ordinance passed by Council authorizes the City’s Human Resources Department to modify the city employee benefit plan to extend health benefits to an adult with whom the covered employee shares a permanent residence. In addition, the benefit plan will require the additional eligible dependent to:

• Have been in an exclusive relationship with the employee for at least 6 months with the intention of remaining in the relationship indefinitely;
• Be at least 18 years of age and mentally competent;
• Sign a declaration of financial interdependence with the employee and demonstrate financial interdependence through joint ownership of property, an automobile, a bank or credit account or through a will, life insurance plan, insurance policy or power of attorney.

“By ensuring that all City employees have equal access to health care we are joining the likes of major Columbus employers, successful businesses and responsible government leaders who have long provided domestic partner benefits,” said Councilmember Ginther. “We are not only doing the right thing by providing domestic partner benefits, we have better positioned the City of Columbus to compete for the most talented employees and have made the City a better place to work.”

Eligible dependents would be covered following a 30-day open enrollment period immediately following the passage of the legislation. The extension of domestic partner benefits are estimated to cost approximately $650,000 in 2011.

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