Michigan Passes Ban on Partner Health Care Coverage

A bill to end health insurance coverage for domestic partners of government workers in Michigan was signed into law today by GOP governor Rick Snyder.

The legislation was introduced by GOP state representative Dave Agema and pushed by Republican attorney general Bill Schuette. With Snyder's signature, the bill becomes law and ends health insurance coverage for unmarried partners of government workers.

"Governor Snyder's support for this bill is appalling," Emily Dievendorf, director of policy for Equality Michigan, said in a statement. "Today, the governor told unmarried public employees that they can no longer care for their partners or children. He has put hardworking gay and lesbian couples and their children into harm's way by eliminating important health care coverage. He has spent the last two years talking about creating a welcoming state with a attractive business climate, and this bill flies in the face of those goals."