December 30, 2013
Most Nebraska Schools to Offer Same-Sex Benefits
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Nearly all Nebraska school districts and some cities and counties will soon begin offering insurance benefits to legally married same-sex couples.
The changes are being made in response to last June's U.S. Supreme Court ruling that negated part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act.
Blue Cross Blue Shield decided to change its policy effective Jan. 1 because of the high court's ruling, and that company insurers all but three of the state's 249 school districts.
It wasn't immediately clear how many people would be affected by the change because Nebraska doesn't recognize same-sex marriage.
The Human Rights Campaign, which advocates for gays and lesbians, says Nebraska lags behind other states in offering benefits to same-sex couples.
That group says 67 percent of Fortune 500 companies offer same-sex partner benefits.
