Dear Bureaupat,

A few months ago, the White House announced that same-sex partners of federal employees would be eligible for some of the benefits that opposite-sex spouses currently get. My company just laid me off and I will lose my health insurance at the end of the month, but my partner works for the federal government. I was wondering if I should pay for expensive COBRA coverage while I'm between jobs or if he will be able to convert to a family plan and add me to his insurance. Money is tight these days, but I don't want to go uninsured. What do you suggest?

Dear Unemployed,

Health insurance is on everyone's mind these days. As we all know, even a single emergency room visit without insurance can blow a tight budget and prolonged illnesses can send families into bankruptcy. You are right to be concerned about maintaining your coverage.

Unfortunately for you, your partner's federal health insurance will not help you — at least not yet. While President Obama has endorsed the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act that would give the partners of gay and lesbian federal employees access to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, it must be passed by Congress.

Your best bet is probably to apply for COBRA. It might be cheaper than you think. If you meet certain income requirements and were "involuntarily separated," you should be eligible for a subsidy of up to 65%.

Although President Obama does not have the authority to extend health insurance to same-sex partners, he did issue an executive order in June that ordered the Office of Personnel Management to create new rules that would open up the long-term care insurance program (pdf) and certain leave programs (pdf). This week, OPM issued the draft of these new rules.

What do these proposed regulations mean for you? Once finalized, you will be eligible to enroll in the Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program. This is insurance that would help pay for care if you are no longer able to perform everyday tasks by yourself due to chronic illness, injury, disability, or the aging process. The program is already open to federal employees; their opposite-sex spouses; their parents, step-parents, and parents-in-law; and their adult biological, step, or adoptive children.

The leave regulation would allow your partner to take sick, voluntary, or emergency leave to care for you as his "domestic partner." It might comfort you to know that the rule would also define you as one of his "immediate relatives," which would allow him to take leave to attend your funeral.

Yours in Gov,

Bureaupat

Previously from Bureaupat

[+] Do I need permission to take sick leave?

[+] Can I transfer educational benefits after I retire from the military?

[+] Should I notify my federal employer that I'm pregnant?