COOPERSTOWN _ The Otsego County Board of Representatives voted late Wednesday night to nullify Treasurer Myrna Thayne’s exclusion of same-sex spouses from the county’s health plan.
Thayne, who administers the county’s self-insured plan, acted independently of the board when she changed language within the plan’s guidelines.
In a memorandum signed July 15, purporting to take effect June 17, Thayne informed employees that:
“The Otsego County Health Plan is amended to clarify that same-sex spouses are not covered under the plan.
“The definition of dependent in the section entitled `Definitions of some terms used in this booklet’ is amended (new terms in bold) as follows:
“Dependent means your child or legal spouse from whom you are not legally separated or divorced or whose marriage has not been legally annulled. A common law spouse, civil union partner, same-sex spouse or domestic partner is not recognized as your legal spouse under the Plan, even if it is recognized in the state or municipality of residence.’”
Thayne noted that the wording runs counter to coverage provided by New York state’s health insurance plan, ``but because we’re self-insured, we only have to follow the federal guidelines,’’ she said.
Federal rules allow same-sex partners to be denied coverage, Thayne said.
All of the representatives present at the meeting voted in favor of the nullification with little discussion. Rep. Stephen Fournier, R-Milford, Rep. Betty Anne Schwerd, R-Burlington, Rep. Martha Stayton, D-Oneonta, and Rep. Cathy Rothenberger, D-Oneonta, were absent.
During a public comment period at the beginning, several people who identified themselves as being in same-sex relationships or who supported same-sex relationships spoke out against the decision.
A member of PFLAG - Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays - read a letter from a New York Civil Liberties Union attorney calling Thayne’s action into question.
According to Alison Cooper, an aide to state Senator James Seward, R-Milford, the state has not adopted a law that addresses same-sex spousal insurance coverage, although the coverage is extended to state workers.
New York state does not recognize same-sex marriages. However, Gov. David Paterson in May ordered all state agencies to prepare for recognition of same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. That order is being challenged in court.
inactive
August 21, 2008
Otsego Board overturns Thayne same-sex health plan policy
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Motorist rolls truck, charged with drunken driving
A motorist who continued driving after his truck rolled 360 degrees in Summit early Monday was charged with drunken driving, state police at Cobleskill said.
- Motorist rolls truck, charged with drunken driving A motorist who continued driving after his truck rolled 360 degrees in Summit early Monday was charged with drunken driving, state police at Cobleskill said.
- Mary Lorraine Hawkins RICHFIELD SPRINGS _ Mary Lorraine Hawkins, 85, went to be with the Lord on Monday, May 10, 2010, she was at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown.
- Area briefs: Video on natural gas drilling to be presented COPES CORNERS _ The Concerned Citizens of the Butternut Valley will sponsor a video presentation about natural gas drilling at 7 p.m. today at Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School at 693 State Highway 51.
- Area briefs: Video on natural gas drilling to be presented COPES CORNERS _ The Concerned Citizens of the Butternut Valley will sponsor a video presentation about natural gas drilling at 7 p.m. today at Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School at 693 State Highway 51.
- Evelyn E. Kinney MORRIS _ Evelyn E. Kinney, 81, of Morris, passed away Jan. 17, 2010.
- Frost may have damaged plantings Traces of a visit by Jack Frost overnight might leave severe damage to plant life in Otsego, Delaware and Chenango counties, weather officials said Monday.
- Daisy Wagner Schultz WALTON _ Daisy Meda Wagner Schultz, 65, of Walton, passed away unexpectedly Sunday evening, May 9, 2010, at home.
- Frost may have damaged plantings Traces of a visit by Jack Frost overnight might leave severe damage to plant life in Otsego, Delaware and Chenango counties, weather officials said Monday.
- Edward Luke Ryder MOUNT VISION _ Edward Luke Ryder, 71, passed away Monday, May 10, 2010, at his home.
- Police probe apparent murder-suicide WALTON _ An apparent murder-suicide shooting is being investigated by the Walton Police Department, the state police and the Delaware County Sheriff's Department, Walton Police Officer Brian Laauser said Monday. The shootings occurred at 32 Union Street at about 10 p.m. Sunday, police said.
- Police probe apparent murder-suicide WALTON _ An apparent murder-suicide shooting is being investigated by the Walton Police Department, the state police and the Delaware County Sheriff's Department, Walton Police Officer Brian Laauser said Monday. The shootings occurred at 32 Union Street at about 10 p.m. Sunday, police said.
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3 area lawyers say Kagan likely to be confirmed
Elena Kagan is likely to be confirmed as United States Supreme Court justice and seems qualified for the post, according to three area lawyers.
Kagan, the nations solicitor general and a former dean of Harvard Law School, is President Barack Obamas choice to succeed retiring Justice John Paul Stevens. - Alyce H. Roberts ONEONTA _ Alyce H. Roberts, 89, of Oneonta, passed away Sunday, May 9, 2010, at home.
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3 area lawyers say Kagan likely to be confirmed
Elena Kagan is likely to be confirmed as United States Supreme Court justice and seems qualified for the post, according to three area lawyers.
Kagan, the nations solicitor general and a former dean of Harvard Law School, is President Barack Obamas choice to succeed retiring Justice John Paul Stevens. -
Outdoor biking program starts in city
ONEONTA _ An outdoor biking program Tuesday nights has begun in Oneonta.
The group meets at the Brenner Recreational Center near Hodges Pond in Neahwa Park at 5 p.m. -
Outdoor biking program starts in city
ONEONTA _ An outdoor biking program Tuesday nights has begun in Oneonta.
The group meets at the Brenner Recreational Center near Hodges Pond in Neahwa Park at 5 p.m. - Marc E. Guy DELHI _ A graveside memorial service for Marc E. Guy, 79, of Delhi, who passed away Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, at Hospice of the Golden Isles,
- Bridge work to take place on I-88 today OTEGO _ Crews will be working on bridge maintenance on Interstate 88 eastbound between exit 12 in Otego and exit 13 in Oneonta beginning at 8 a.m. today, a media release said.
- David C. Yager ONEONTA _ Graveside services with military honors for David C. Yager, who passed away Feb. 7, 2010, will be at 1 p.m. Friday, May 14, 2010, in the West Oneonta Cemetery.
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Motorist rolls truck, charged with drunken driving
