My friend, Margaret, married her beloved, Sue, last year. It was a beautiful wedding (with delicious cupcakes) in the state of Massachusetts. A legal same-sex marriage.
Margaret is finishing her training for ministry, Sue serving in Afghanistan in the US Air Force. (Margaret has promised to write a guest post on the military side of same-sex marriage some day.)
Because Sue's health insurance is through the federal military, Margaret is not recognized as a spouse and is thus not eligible for coverage under her wife's plan. (If Sue were a Massachusetts state employee, Margaret would be covered.) In their case, as a civilian Sue is also a federal employee, so Margaret can't get that health care, either.
Massachusetts provides health care (Romneycare!) to folks in the state under a certain income level. BUT because their marriage is recognized by the state, Sue's income is counted into Margaret's household income. So, Margaret does not qualify for Mass health care.
She isn't covered by the military because her marriage isn't recognized by the federal government.
She isn't covered by Massachusetts because her marriage is recognized by the state government.
I mean... seriously?! Fix it. FIX IT NOW.
Morgan, I am grateful to you and Dan for this blog.
ReplyDeleteIt has allowed me to reflect on what it means to be a straight person, a minister, and an ally. It has educated me on the complicated legal and financial realities, and prejudices, of a heterosexist system. I'll be continuing to follow this good work.
Blessings, Jennifer