Anti-fairness Industry Attacks Equal Healthcare Access

In July the University of Louisville Board of Trustees voted to authorize equal access to healthcare for all employees regardless of marital status. The anti-fairness industry, predictably, criticized the move, and Rep. Stan Lee of Lexington, predictably, responded to the criticism by introducing HB 48, the Healthcare Discrimination Act (Download a Fact Sheet).

An excessive attempt by the legislature to micro-manage Kentucky's higher education system, the ban would prohibit state universities and community colleges from offering equal healthcare benefits to unmarried employees in committed relationships.

Kentucky's fair-minded community has largely repudiated Lee's bill, with business and educational leaders speaking out against the Equal Healthcare Access Ban in the press. Notably, even Senate President David Williams, a conservative Burkesville Republican, has not given the measure his public support.

"It's not high on my agenda, but I want a spirit of openness about this," Williams said. "I want more information about what other states are doing, and I want to know more about how this would affect our economic competitiveness" (Lexington Herald-Leader, 1/1/07).

In the meantime, the University of Kentucky has resumed its progress toward offering equal healthcare. In January a task force made a positive recommendation on the issue. The decision now lies with UK Board of Trustees and University President Lee Todd.

Three of Kentucky's private colleges—Berea, Centre, and Spalding—were offering their unmarried employees in equal healthcare before the U of L decision. Officials at Northern Kentucky University and Western Kentucky University have given mixed indications about the likelihood of offering equal healthcare at their schools.