Proposed Domestic Partner Health Insurance Policy

I drafted the following resolution for consideration by the Monona city council. Alder Peter McKeever has agreed to co-sponsor the resolution. I expect it will be on the council agenda for a first reading on February 5.

Basically, the policy would allow the domestic partner's of city employees to be reimbursed for 95% of the health insurance premiums. The policy would only apply to non-represented employees (union employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements that the city can not unilaterally change).

I believe this policy reflects the values of the people of Monona and hope the council will adopt it.

Monona Common Council

Domestic Partner Health Insurance Reimbursement Policy

WHEREAS, the City of Monona desires to retain its valued city employees and to attract new highly qualified individuals; and

WHEREAS, reimbursement to eligible city employees for health insurance premiums of the employees domestic partners will aid in recruitment and retention of quality employees; and

WHEREAS, the Attorney General of Wisconsin has issued an advisory opinion that the recently adopted constitutional amendment does not restrict the ability of municipalities to provide benefits to the domestic partners of its employees; and

WHEREAS, the average difference in premiums between a single person and family coverage under the health insurance plans offered by the city of Monona to its employees in 2007 is $720.23/month and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the common council hereby establishes as the policy of the city:

1. To reimburse non-represented city employees for 95% of health insurance premiums actually paid by the domestic partners of city employees up to $684.22 per month (95% of $720.23). This amount shall be adjusted by the City Administrator on an annually based on the average cost difference for single and family health insurance coverage provided to city employees.

2. This policy applies only to domestic partners of non-represented city employees that are eligible for health insurance benefits to be paid by the City.

3. Permanent part-time and hourly non-represented employees are eligible for this benefit based on the prorated share that the City pays for their health insurance.

4. The domestic partner of a non-represented city employee does not have access to any employer sponsored (i.e., where the employer would pay at least 50% of the cost) health insurance program from another source.

5. Reimbursements will be made on the City employee’s payroll check and withholding will be taken for Federal, FICA, Medicare and State tax purposes.

6. Requests for reimbursement shall be made on forms provided by the City Clerk.

7. Participation in this program shall require registration as domestic partners on a form provided by the City Clerk.

8. Domestic partner means those adults in a domestic partnership.

9. Registration shall require that the domestic partners certify that they meet the definition of being a domestic partnership as set forth below.

10. Domestic partnership means two adults and their dependents, if any, which satisfy the following requirements:

a. They are in a relationship of mutual support, caring and commitment and intend to remain in such a relationship in the immediate future; and

b. They are not married (unless they are married to each other) or legally separated and, if either party has been a party to an action or proceeding for divorce or annulment, at least six (6) months have elapsed since the date of the judgment terminating the marriage; and

c. Neither domestic partner is currently registered in a domestic partnership with a different domestic partner and, if either partner has previously been registered as a domestic partner in a domestic partnership, at least six (6) months have elapsed since the effective date of termination of that registration; and

d. Both are 18 years of age or older; and

e. Both are competent to contract; and

f. They are occupying the same dwelling unit as a single, nonprofit housekeeping unit, whose relationship is of permanent and distinct domestic character; and

g. They are not in a relationship that is merely temporary, social, political, commercial or economic in nature.