GEO’s Benefits for All plan protects the right to health care by providing the University of Michigan with a workable solution for maintaining its commitments to its employees. GEO believes that the University of Michigan shares our understanding that making the university a safe and accessible space for all requires equal access to benefits. This access has been threatened by a recent ruling of the Michigan Court of Appeals. With the Benefits for All plan, GEO members have developed a new approach to the provision of health care benefits which accommodates the law. We are working with others in the university community to call for implementation of this plan.
When Proposal 2 was passed in November 2004, many believed that the amendment would not affect same-sex domestic partner (SSDP) benefits. The Michigan Court of Appeals’ recent ruling contradicts this belief. It is now necessary to rebuild the structure of health benefits to ensure that institutions like the University of Michigan can continue providing benefits for all.
The Benefits for All Designated Beneficiaries plan enables employees to elect one other adult and that adult’s dependent children as recipients of their health care. Provision of benefits is based on criteria including shared property, joint living, and shared responsibility for minors. Like existing benefits structures, the plan includes provisions to safeguard it against misuse. This type of plan, while new to the University of Michigan, has been used successfully by other organizations and provides benefits for all while accommodating Michigan law.
The University promises to honor existing obligations to unionized employees, but SSDP benefits are at risk if the court orders UM to immediately stop providing benefits. While the ban most directly targets those receiving SSDP benefits, this issue affects all GEO members and other members of the university community who currently receive benefits, including graduate students, staff and faculty. More broadly, the university’s ability to attract and retain the best faculty and graduate students is undermined if we cannot find the means of maintaining benefits for same-sex domestic partners.
GEO’s goal continues to be equal rights to benefits for all. During this time of damaging legal precedents, overt discrimination and economic uncertainty, it is important for us to join together to protect existing benefits. As a community, we have the collective power to protect benefits for all.
