How fucked up? Fed Employees can get health insurance for pets but not partners!

[WillParkinson]

Federal Employees Can Purchase Health Insurance For Their Pets, But Not Their Same-Sex Partners

This morning, federal employees who are insured through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program received an email from Aetna advertising their new pet insurance plans. “In these challenging economic times, it’s good to know you can get some financial protection for unexpected illness and injury to your pets,” the e-mail reads before listing the many benefits:

The insurance is a handsome perk for those who can afford it, but what’s illuminating about the ad is that while federal employees can buy pet insurance “in these challenging economic times,” LGBT workers are still prohibited from purchasing policies for their partners or spouses by the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) — a federal law which denies federal benefits to legally married same sex couples.

http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2010/10/14/benefits-pets/

---

What chess level are we on? I really want this game to be over with.

[RandomThoughts]

1. And I could use a drink.

[WillParkinson]

3. Make it a double and have some for me...

Since I don't drink.

[stray cat]

2. Do you want the pet to buy independent insurance? I'm sure the owner is paying for it out of pocket

[hack89]

4. Is is a marketing scheme to sell pet insurance

it simply offers a slight discount - it not part of federal health insurance nor is it subsidized by the government.

[E_Pluribus_Unitarian]

6. Exactly

The FEHB is not involved in it at all.

[RKP5637]

5. The chess game today is in hyperspace at the n th degree. It's not even

remotely in the realm of reality, and spinning out of control more and more. And if the R's are back fully in control we might as well kiss the US goodbye. We'll never dig out of the F'en mess. Most of the R's don't even remotely live in reality.

[mysuzuki2]

7. No, you're wrong

I wont argue for a minute you're point of view that same-sex couples should get federal health insurance coverage. However, you are wrong that pet insurance is a federal benefit. It isn't. Many of the companies that cover federal employees will market other products to feds. These are things like dental and vision coverage and apparently now pet coverage. These are not government benefits and are not paid for at all by federal dollars. The employee pays the full cost.

[Mimosa]

9. I figured that was just a profit product Aetna offers. n/t

[Mimosa]

8. I'm sick of it all

We're supposed to think the administration has good intentions?