Tuesday, July 2, 2002
Columbus, Ohio searching for model benefits plan
A story released today by Columbus Business First reports that as more Columbus, Ohio businesses follow the trend of offering insurance coverage to unmarried financial dependents of employees, the city of Columbus is revisiting the issue with hopes of approving such a measure in time for 2003's open enrollment in fall.
It's been three-and-a-half years since Columbus City Council rescinded domestic partner benefits in the face of a likely ballot initiative to strike them. Dan Trevas, council's communications director, says a March Community Relations Council decision that the city violated its own anti-discrimination policy against gays and lesbians is spurring a move to resolve the benefits question.
The city is appealing the decision of discrimination against James R. Hartman, a Health Department employee, resulting from denial of health benefits to his domestic partner. However, Trevas insists the city administration and council are making good-faith efforts to extend these benefits as soon as possible.
Trevas, however, thinks that the controversy will be kept to a minimum due to the expanded pool of potential beneficiaries and extensive public dialogue. He also points to a study through the Ohio State University Center of Research indicating 70 percent public support in Franklin County for extended city benefits to non-traditional household members.
Debra Ploushay Moore, OhioHealth's senior vice president of human resources, agrees societal changes are driving more companies to consider adding benefits for non-traditional household members.
"What we're really looking at is the changing diversity in lifestyle and to increase employee satisfaction," she says.
"These are areas of concern for all of health care," Ploushay Moore says. "If we don't have competitive benefits and salaries, we will not maintain our employees."
