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Who Decides Who Should Be a Parent?
August 21, 2008 - Thursday
Posted by BrianA
Who Decides Who Should Be a Parent?
Shocked. Disbelief. Appalled. Amazed. Furious. These are just a few of the emotions that I experienced when I read one of my patients explanation of insurance benefits who is an employee of Honda Manufacturing of Alabama. “Benefits for fertility treatment and ART are limited to a lifetime maximum payment of $30,000.00. Good news! She has excellent coverage. But as I read on, “Effective January 1, 2008, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama requests that Blue Cross and Blue Shield exclude domestic partners (same sex partners) from ART benefits including diagnostic services related to fertility/infertility that have a fertility or infertility diagnosis”. Why would an employer exclude a specific segment of the population from fulfilling their dream and a basic inherent human right of having a family?
As one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers and a company on the leading edge of technology, how can Honda be so backward in providing healthcare benefits? Clearly, this is discrimination! They claim to be an “Equal Opportunity Employer”, and therefore claim to conform to the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA) of 1978. This act prohibits discriminating for or against employees or applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age or disability, as well as attributes or conduct that do not adversely affect employee performance, such as marital status and political affiliation. The Office of Personnel Management has interpreted this to include sexual orientation, as well. Clearly, they are not in compliance! Why do they feel they own the power to decide who should or should not be a parent? Are they going to stamp sexual orientation on the insurance cards?
Interestingly, two other related issues hit the news media this week. The California Supreme Court reached a unanimous verdict that physicians cannot use their religious beliefs as grounds to deny infertility treatment to gay and lesbian patients. And, singer Ricky Martin announced the birth of twin sons that were born with the assistance of a gestational surrogate.
Perhaps Honda would benefit from reading the news and sticking to making cars instead of being judge and jury for those who want to be parents.
Karen R. Hammond, MSN, CRNP
-Secretary and Past Chair, AFA Board of Directors
-Ob/Gyn Nurse Practitioner, Alabama Fertility Specialists
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