From: Ellen McCormick Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 09:20:20 Subject: CA: Domestic Partner Health Care Bill Passes State Senate For Immediate Release Contact: Ellen McCormick, Legislative Advocate LIFE: California's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and HIV/AIDS Lobby (916) 444-0424 DOMESTIC PARTNER HEALTH CARE BILL PASSES STATE SENATE Sacramento - AB 1059, the first domestic partnership bill to require health care service plans to offer domestic partner health care benefits, passed the State Senate on Thursday, August 28. The measure, introduced by Assembly Member Carole Migden (D-San Francisco), was met with a short debate and passed on a narrow 21 - 14 vote. AB 1059 would require health care service plans, including Health Maintenance Organizations, to offer domestic partner health care coverage to those employers who choose it. Under AB 1059 employers would not be mandated to provide this type of coverage. "This bill is intended to help those small employers whose insurance provider won't allow them to have insurance coverage for an employee's domestic partner. Under our current system many unmarried and/or gay/lesbian employees could opt to pay out of pocket for a spouse - yet would not be able to do the same for a domestic partner, " said Ellen McCormick, Legislative Advocate for LIFE Lobby. AB 1059 will go next to the State Assembly for ratification of amendments taken in the Senate, then to the Governor to be signed or vetoed. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This message has been brought to you by LIFE: California's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and HIV/AIDS Lobby. LIFE has been lobbying on behalf of California's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV-affected communities since 1986. LIFE is the oldest and largest institution representing these communities in California's State Capitol and is proud to celebrate over a decade of service. If you would like further information about LIFE activities, events or membership please contact our office at: LIFE: California's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and HIV/AIDS Lobby 926 J Street, Suite 522 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 444-0424 fax (916) 444-3059 Welcome to our new "Instant Activist" e-mail subscribers!