Slog

News & Arts

Line Out

Music & the City
at Night

« Savage Love Letter of the Day | "No-one cares what you dreamt about… »

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Health Deep In Today's House Health Bill...

Posted by Eli Sanders on Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 3:02 PM

...a provision, authored by Seattle Congressman Jim McDermott, to give domestic partners the same health-insurance-related tax benefits as married couples.

Section 571. Certain health related benefits applicable to spouses and dependents extended to eligible beneficiaries. This section promotes parity in health benefits by expanding the definition of “eligible beneficiary” so that domestic partners can enjoy the same tax benefits with regard to health insurance coverage, as married couples do.

It's all part of a reform package, McDermott says, that "has been my top priority since the day I entered Congress.”

Comments (12) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment

Deal Breaker.

Posted by Fini on October 29, 2009 at 3:07 PM

That part is so gonna get cut.

Posted by heywhatsit!? on October 29, 2009 at 3:18 PM

once HCR passes, will jim retire?

Posted by Max Solomon on October 29, 2009 at 3:24 PM

Yeah, this is gonna make all the Republicans vote no on the bill.

Posted by Renton Mike on October 29, 2009 at 3:31 PM

It isn't gonna pass anyway, so what are you getting all excited about?

Posted by Fifty-Two-Eighty

on October 29, 2009 at 3:37 PM

oh goody, put it in the senate bill, all y'all know we luv them gay rightz!

totally ensures our reelection!

Posted by Landrieu, Pryor, Conrad, Baucus et al. on October 29, 2009 at 3:38 PM

#4: Oh shit, and this is right after one of them decided that maybe maybe they'll vote yes?

Posted by legalize pot and ban guns too, 0 repub votes anyway on October 29, 2009 at 3:39 PM

They have to have something to drop in reconciliation after they p0wn the Republic Party of No noobz.

Posted by Will in Seattle

on October 29, 2009 at 4:02 PM

@7: Exactly. What's the point of compromising with a group of people who have already said they won't vote for it under any circumstances?

I agree that this doesn't have a prayer of making it into the final bill, but it's nice to see someone in power has noticed how discriminatory the current tax policy is. People in domestic partnerships pay hundreds of dollars in extra taxes every year on their health care benefits.

Posted by Orv on October 29, 2009 at 4:03 PM

It's a nice gesture, but, as others noted, it'll be the first thing that gets taken out.

Posted by keshmeshi on October 29, 2009 at 4:22 PM

I like it, but, prepaid to look at the underside of a bus come compromise time, my gay friends and family.

Posted by The Amazing Jim

on October 29, 2009 at 4:28 PM

How about full fucking equality instead of these bits and bits here and there? At this rate, we MIGHT be equal in about 50 fucking years. This is bullshit and I'm sick of our "friends" in Congress and the White House tossing us just enough crumbs to keep us donating and voting for them. "Steps forward" are not "equality." Period.

Posted by I voted for Obama and all I got was words on October 30, 2009 at 10:46 AM