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Hillsborough Nixes Domestic-Partner Benefits

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By MIKE SALINERO | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 22, 2009

TAMPA - A motion to consider extending health care coverage to unmarried partners of Hillsborough County employees was defeated by a 5-2 vote of county commissioners.

Commissioner Rose Ferlita supported the motion brought forward by Commissioner Kevin Beckner, but the rest of the commission voted the issue down.

Ferlita said she does not think the county can afford to expand health care coverage at this time, but she thought the county administrator should have the freedom to study the issue as Beckner had requested.

A policy passed by the commission in 2004 prohibits County Administrator Pat Bean from even exploring whether domestic-partner coverage is feasible.

Providing the benefit would increase county health care costs by 1 percent to 2 percent, Bean said.

Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio signed an order in 2004 extending benefits to unmarried partners of city employees. The expanded benefits cost the city about $73,000 per year, said Liana Lopez, the mayor's spokeswoman.

Beckner said most Fortune 500 companies offer domestic-partner benefits. He also said studies show that doing so contributes little or no cost to the insurance program.

Studies also show that most people who take advantage of the benefits are opposite-gender couples, Beckner said.

The county's employee group health care plan allows participation by employees, retirees and dependents of each. Dependents are defined as spouses and children. Changes to the eligibility rule must be approved by the commission.

Commissioner Mark Sharpe said he did not want the county to take on any added costs. Commissioner Jim Norman said he only favors benefits for married couples.

Florida cities and counties that provide domestic-partner benefits include Orlando, Broward County, Miami-Dade County, Miami Beach, Key West and West Palm Beach.

Reporter Mike Salinero can be reached at (813) 259-8303.

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