Friday, December 6, 2002

A story published today by the Portland Press Herald Reports that Mercy Hospital soon may become the second Catholic hospital in Maine to offer health benefits to domestic partners.

A Mercy spokeswoman said Thursday that the hospital in Portland's West End is considering several options to expand health-care coverage for its employees, including extending benefits to domestic partners.

"We're looking at the whole picture of expanding coverage and domestic partners is one component," said Diane Atwood, Mercy's spokeswoman.

Catholic Charities Maine announced this week it will not offer domestic partner benefits to employees, and intends to challenge in court a Portland ordinance requiring agencies seeking certain public funds to offer domestic partners the same benefits available to spouses.

Michael Heath, executive director of the Christian Civic League of Maine, applauded Catholic Charities' decision Thursday.

"I commend Bishop Joseph Gerry," he said. "It signals an important message relating to homosexuality and human sexuality."

But Heath said he was dismayed that Mercy may soon join St. Mary's in offering health benefits to the domestic partners of their employees. He noted that the hospitals, though not managed or controlled by the diocese, have ties to the Catholic church in the form of representatives on their respective boards of directors.

"It strikes me as odd," Heath said.

In the case of St. Mary's, insurance benefits are offered to one additional adult who is dependent on the employee financially. That could include a sibling, parent or partner, said Sean Findlen, St. Mary's spokesman.

"We're providing health-care benefits to those who don't have them," Findlen said. "That's the goal of the hospital."