Oregon county looks beyond same-sex benefits

A story released today by the Associated Press reports that Jefferson County commissioners are considering whether to offer benefits to the partners of unmarried heterosexual employees, a topic that could spark heated debate in the Central Oregon county.

Under current policy, the county - like others in Oregon - offers benefits to husbands and wives of heterosexual employees and to the partners of gay employees. They've been required to do so since 1998, when the Oregon Supreme Court ruled that it was illegal to deny benefits to gay unmarried partners.

But only 12 Oregon counties enrolled in the Association of Oregon Counties' health insurance program extend benefits to unmarried heterosexual partners. There are 36 counties in Oregon. Jefferson County counsel Jacki Haggerty believes that the same clause that makes it illegal to deny benefits to gay partners would likely do the same for heterosexuals.

``I think we're begging for trouble if we treat (heterosexuals) differently,'' she said.

Jefferson County commissioners said they were concerned that it would be difficult to define what constitutes a couple if they decide to extend benefits.

``I don't want the county to be essentially ripped off or something,'' Commissioner Walt Ponsford said.

Under the guidelines for the Association of Oregon Counties' health plan, domestic partners must share a permanent residence, split living expenses, and not have had another domestic partner in the past six months.