In a policy switch, St. Luke's University Health Network in Bethlehem, Pa., will offer legally married same-sex couples benefits equal to those offered to married heterosexual employees, according to a report by The Morning Call.
In addition to offering equal benefits to same-sex married couples, employees who have been in a same-sex domestic partnership for at least a year can add their domestic partner to their health plan, according to the report. Children of the couples are also eligible.
"It is unfair to deny gay and lesbian employees who are legally married these equal benefits, and recognizing that is the right thing for St. Luke's to do," a spokesperson told The Morning Call. Factors contributing to the policy change include the federal government's position on same-sex couples' pension benefits and a ruling allowing gay marriage in New Jersey, where the system owns a hospital, according to the report.
The system reopened its open enrollment period through Dec. 20 to allow employees to sign up for the new benefits, according to the report.
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