Benefits OK’d for domestic partners of Columbus city workers

The Columbus, Ohio City Council approved extending health benefits to the gay and unmarried partners of city employees. About 70 partners and 19 of their children will join the city’s health plan. Columbus employs nearly 8,000. This legislation allows health coverage for “an adult with whom the covered employee shares a permanent residence” and who can prove through bank statements, mortgage documents or other means that they are “financially interdependent with the employee.” Councilwoman Charleta B. Tavares, appointed in 1999, voted to approve the benefits. “We will finally have health care for all of our employees that is fair and equitable,” she said.