Yesterday the state Supreme Court, in a 5-2 decision, moved to prohibit public employers from providing health care benefits to the partners of lesbian and gay employees. The court ruled that the amendment to the state constitution approved by voters in 2004 , which defines marriage as the union between one man and one woman, also applies to employee benefits.  The decision upholds a February 2007 ruling by the Court of Appeals.Unsettling that justice is in the hands of those who believe that only certain families deserve health coverage…

The decision, however, should not effect the University’s employee health care coverage.  After the 2007 Court of Appeals decision, the University no longer offers benefits on the basis of same-sex domestic partner relationships; but had changed their policies so that employees’ partners would remained covered.

In an email sent out to the University’s faculty and employees, Laurita Thomas, Associate Vice President for Human Resources, states: “The University cares deeply about the recruitment and retention of its outstanding faculty and staff, and we design our benefits with these principles in mind.  We believe all of our current benefit offerings are in full compliance with the law in the state of Michigan.”