ACLU Helps Gay
Man Secure Health Insurance

After pressure from the American Civil Liberties Union, Georgia's commissioner of insurance has agreed to allow Jon Lawson, a 51-year-old gay man, to purchase health insurance through a state plan designed to help people who are uninsured. Commissioner John Oxendine initially denied his application because the plan requires the applicant to be insured for 18 months before joining the plan. Lawson was deemed ineligible because he was covered as a domestic partner through his previous insurance plan.

According to the ACLU, Oxendine has been blocking LGBT residents from receiving public health insurance since the state supreme court ruled that the city of Atlanta is allowed to provide domestic-partner benefits to its employees.

"I'm happy that the insurance commissioner did the right thing, not only in my case but for others who may be in the same situation," Lawson said in a statement. "Anyone who needs health insurance and meets the state's requirements should not be denied under any circumstances."

Lawson, who was insured after breaking up with his partner of six years, discovered he was eligible for insurance under the state's Insurance Assignment System. The program is for those who have insurance but are about to become uninsured. He applied for the program and provided proof that he was insured for the required previous 18 months. Several days later, he received a call from Oxendine's office and explained that he had been covered as a domestic partner under his former partner's plan. The same day, the program's coordinator said he was ineligible for the program because "the relationship of domestic partner is not considered a family relationship under Georgia law," according to the ACLU.

The ACLU sent a demand letter on January 9 to Oxendine's office on behalf of Lawson; the letter detailed his qualifications for the insurance program. On March 3, Lawson received notice that he will be insured under the program. (The Advocate)