Supreme Court Ruling Denies Health Care Benefits
“Affirmations is extremely disappointed with the decision that the Michigan Supreme Court has made. This decision has left thousands of children who are part of loving families without access to health care that they have relied on for years,” stated Bashar Makhay, Community Organizing Coordinator for Affirmations.
Today, several key Michigan-based organizations expressed their disappointment in the Supreme Court’s ruling today upholding the Court of Appeals decision denying health care benefits to unmarried couples. Unity Michigan, a group of organizations working together on issues that includes equal rights, will work hard to ensure that no Michiganders lose access to health care as a result of this decision.
The groups spoke out today on a press conference call, each noting their deep regret for the decision that will hurt hard working families in Michigan.
“We are disappointed by this decision and still believe that a public employer offering health insurance benefits to domestic partners of employees does not create a marriage or anything approaching a marriage. Several public employers have revised their eligibility criteria to continue health insurance coverage for domestic partners, in compliance with the lower court’s decision,” said Kary L. Moss, ACLU of Michigan Executive Director. “We will now encourage and work with public employers to revise their eligibility criteria in order to provide continued health insurance coverage. We encourage Governor Granholm to do the same and negotiate such coverage with state employees.”
“Affirmations is extremely disappointed with the decision that the Michigan Supreme Court has made. This decision has left thousands of children who are part of loving families without access to health care that they have relied on for years,” stated Bashar Makhay, Community Organizing Coordinator for Affirmations.
“Michigan Equality is very disappointed by the decision reached today. We are saddened that the ones hurt by this decision are the children in these families whose health care is now in jeopardy. This decision seeks to take away health care benefits that thousands of unmarried hard working Michigan couples have earned and have had for years - and the ones most hurt are the kids,” said Derek Smiertka, Executive Director of Michigan Equality.
“S.P.I.C.E. is disappointed with today's Supreme Court decision. Not only is it not legally sound, it jeopardizes the health care benefits of families throughout the state. Michiganders believe that families who have worked hard to earn health care benefits should get to keep them, and the Supreme Court has ignored this,” said S.P.I.C.E. President, Alicia Skillman.
"We are disappointed with the decision by the Supreme Court," said Sean Kosofsky, Director of Policy of the Triangle Foundation.
"Thousands of children, who are part of loving families with committed parents who want to take responsibility for them, will now lose the health care benefits they have relied on for years. This is a sad day for Michigan and a devastating day for unmarried couples across the state."
Unity Michigan is a coalition of Michigan-based organizations who work together on common issues, including equal rights. The group includes: ACLU of Michigan, Affirmations, Michigan Equality, S.P.I.C.E., and Triangle Foundation.