Qualified Domestic Partners, letter from a nurse

A nurse friend of mine sent me this email, its an email about qualified domestic partnerships. This of course is that little crumb that Obama passed off to LGBT folk so we would continue supporting him. Hardly being a fierce advocate for gay rights. This email shows what very little was advanced via Obama's "memo" and notes only a few more "rights" some couples have over a minority.

-----Original Message-----
From: Announcements to all U.S. DHHS Employees on behalf of OS News, HHS (HHS/OS)
Sent: Mon 7/6/09 11:04
To: HHS-STAFF@LIST.NIH.GOV
Subject: A Message from the Office of Human Resources: Same Sex Domestic Partners' Benefits

On June 17, 2009, President Obama issued a memorandum requesting the
Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to extend benefits
to qualified same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees as
consistent with law. The purpose of this notice is to share available
information about same-sex domestic partners' eligibility for benefits
and leave.



FEDERAL LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE PROGRAM (FLTCIP)

OPM is currently updating regulations to add same-sex domestic partners
of Federal and U.S. Postal Service employees and annuitants as qualified
relatives eligible to apply for coverage under the Federal Long Term
Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP). Until the regulations are effective,
same-sex domestic partners cannot apply for coverage under the FLTCIP.

Proposed regulations will be published in the Federal Register this
summer, allowing a 30 day public comment period. OPM will review those
comments and issue final regulations as soon as possible thereafter.



LEAVE

OPM also plans to issue proposed regulations in the near future to
modify its definitions of "family member" and "immediate relative" for
purposes related to the use of sick leave, funeral leave, voluntary
leave transfer, voluntary leave bank, and emergency leave transfer.

Specifically, they are adding new definitions of "son and daughter",
"parent", and "domestic partner". This proposal will help ensure that
agencies are administering leave consistently for a diverse workforce
and providing the broadest support possible to help employees balance
their increasing work, personal, and family obligations.

The proposed regulations on leave will be published in the Federal
Register, allowing a 60 day public comment period. OPM will review
those comments and issue final regulations as soon as possible
thereafter.



FEHB, FEGLI, FEDVIP, FSAFEDS

Same-sex domestic partner coverage cannot be extended under the FEHB
(health insurance), FEGLI (life insurance), FEDVIP (dental and vision
insurance) or FSAFEDS (flexible spending account) programs without
legislation, therefore, the Presidential memorandum does not affect
those programs.

If you have any questions about the proposed regulations, please contact
your servicing Human Resources Center
http://intranet.hhs.gov/ohr/contacts.html for assistance.