Login | Register | Member List

Monday, 23 January 2006

Strange Requirement for Health Benefits

Filed under: BS Patrol |

Here’s a requirement which will surprise (or possibly offend) some employees who work at the University of Florida with domestic partners, either straight or GLBT:
To receive health care benefits, you must prove you’re having sex!

University of Florida employees have to pledge that they’re having sex with their domestic partners before qualifying for benefits under a new health care plan at the university.
The partners of homosexual and heterosexual employees are eligible for coverage under UF’s plan, which will take effect in February. The enrollment process began this month, and some employees have expressed concern about an affidavit that requires a pledge of sexual activity.
Fielding questions about the pledge at a Faculty Senate meeting Thursday, UF’s vice president of human resources said he’s heard concerns about the affidavit, though overall feedback about the plan has been positive.
“I would say 95 percent of the affidavit is fine,” Kyle Cavanaugh said in an interview after the meeting.
In addition to declaring joint financial obligations, prospective enrollees must “have been in a non-platonic relationship for the preceding 12 months,” according to the affidavit.
Marylou Behnke, a UF senator, told Cavanaugh she found the requirement “offensive.”

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot! And how enforceable is this affidavit? I can see some couples submittine photo and/or video proof to the health care provider or to UF itself. UGH! This could also act as a disincentive for domestic couples (again, let me stress, either straight or otherwise!) to seek benefits.
And I’ll bet the folks over at FSU will be yukkin’ this up!

COMMENTS

Unless the bedroom is “wired”, a LIE, either way, solves the problem of this asinine policy.

My son and his Thai wife went thru the “Green Card” (the movie) check-up, to prove to the bovine bureaucrats of Homeland Security that they were ‘really’ married.  They passed.  Proving that you’re having sex must be a whole different level of difficulty. 

I recall that there is a product that will reveal if sperm is present.  (It was advertised for those exemplary parents who want to check their teenage daughters panties). Perhaps some kind of body-cavity check? Make it random, like the drug screens used in sports. I’d sign a petition volunteering to pay higher taxes to pay for that program. HA HA HA HA!

Commenting is not available in this weblog entry. | Main |