Same-sex couples
in New Jersey say they are being denied health care
benefits even after state lawmakers passed legislation last
December offering LGBT couples--through civil
unions-- the state-level rights and benefits
of marriage but not the title, reports The [Newark]Star-Ledger.
Jennifer Bonfilio is planning to enter into a
civil union with her partner, a union carpenter
whose health benefits are provided by the New
Jersey Carpenters Funds--but the funds won't
extend health benefits to Bonfilio.
"I called to ask if they were going to be
honoring that law and providing me with the same
coverage that they would any married couple, and I was
told no," Bonfilio said. "The woman on the phone
actually said to me, 'We do not have to obey New Jersey law.'"
Lambda Legal attorney David Buckel said this is
one of many cases involving New Jersey employers
denying benefits to LGBT couples. He told The
Star-Ledger that some employers are not
acquainted with the legislation and that self-insured
employers have the ability to invoke federal law and
deny coverage to same-sex couples
According to George Laufenberg, administrative
manager at New Jersey Carpenters Funds, the funds are
governed by federal law.
"Our understanding is we would not have to
change our eligibility at this time to cover civil
unions, but that's not to say the trustees wouldn't
consider it," Laufenberg said.
Buckel further commented that state government
is at fault because the legislature opted to use the
term "civil union" instead of "marriage"
to describe the same-sex unions. (The Advocate)
