[Vision2020] UI Faculty OKs health benefits for shared households

[Tom Hansen]

It's only right!

Courtesy of today's (April 25, 2012) Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

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Faculty OKs health benefits for shared households

The faculty at the University of Idaho voted Tuesday afternoon to offer health insurance benefits to qualified adults who share their households with UI employees.

The policy omits the term "domestic partner," which was prominently featured in the original health insurance proposal passed by the Faculty Senate on April 3, but has the same intent as the previous wording.

More than 130 faculty members attended Tuesday's general meeting, which was followed by brief remarks from UI President Duane Nellis.

Senate Vice Chairman Kenton Bird told faculty members that the change in wording occurred after university counsel reviewed the proposed policy.

"This is intended to achieve the same goal as the original language, but it follows the model of other states that have been able to extend benefits to other household members," Bird said, adding that the new language is intended to avoid a conflict with the Idaho Constitution.

A marriage between a man and a woman is the only type of domestic relationship state law considers to be legal.

In addition to affirming the right of married spouses to receive UI health insurance, the newly worded policy extends that benefit to adults who live with UI employees, who intend to do so indefinitely and who are financially responsible for each other's welfare.

UI general counsel Kent Nelson said the specifics of those criteria will be developed in conjunction with the university's Benefits Advisory Group and actuarial consultants.
Nellis must approve the policy before it can be implemented.

During a visit to the Daily News editorial board Monday, Nellis said he still was reviewing the proposed policy with counsel and indicated he likely would not make a final decision immediately after Tuesday's vote.

"I personally am very supportive of partner benefits," he said. "The question is whether it violates state law."

Faculty Senate Chairman Paul Joyce told faculty members Tuesday that the newly worded policy that omits the words "domestic partner" was "kind of a compromise deal" to improve its chances of passing legal muster.

No faculty members spoke out against the intent of the policy, and applause filled the room after its approval.

Faculty members also approved several other policy changes Tuesday, including granting tuition discounts to the dependents of UI employees, eliminating tuition discounts for the spouses of non-UI state employees and completing a revamp of the UI's general core curriculum.

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"If not us, who?
If not now, when?"

- Unknown


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