Local legislator calls for UAB to change same-sex partners benefits policy
Staff Writer
Published: October 28, 2009
A Valley legislator has called for the University of Alabama at Birmingham to reverse a recent decision to extend health insurance benefits to same sex partners of employees, an offer the campus says will make it more competitive in recruiting faculty.
State Rep. DuWayne Bridges, R-Valley, called for UAB to rescind the policy change, adding he was researching ways to stop the policy if it is not voluntarily reversed.
“I intend to utilize every means available,” Bridges said on Wednesday.
According to a Birmingham News article, UAB began allowing employees to add same sex partners and their children to health insurance plans this month for coverage beginning in January 2010.
The article also states UAB is the first of the state’s three big schools to make the change, noting UA is studying the option.
Auburn University does not offer benefits to same sex partners of employees nor has there been pressure for it to change its policy, Mike Clardy, director of university communications, said.
A UAB spokeswoman said the change would create a more supportive environment and help the campus compete against other medical schools which offer similar benefits, according to the article. Attempts to contact UAB Wednesday evening were unsuccessful.
Bridges said he was unsure the policy change at UAB would improve recruiting.
Bridges cast the issue as moral and financial, saying the change is contrary to the wishes of Alabama voters and the Legislature’s intent for taxpayer’s money.
“I think the people of Alabama have spoken clear and loud, they don’t want state money used like that,” Bridges said, citing the Alabama Sanctity of Marriage Amendment, defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
In a release, Bridges cited a report predicting a $2.2 million shortfall in the UA health insurance fund for 2010.
“The waste of money is just unreal,” Bridges said. “...Especially right now — I can’t imagine what they were thinking.”
Bridges said the money which would be devoted to providing benefits for same-sex partners of employees would be better used to help create jobs and ease unemployment in counties with high unemployment like Chambers County.
Bridges said he has talked with a few other legislators, but has not heard from any of his constituents regarding the UAB policy shift.
But Bridges said his district is a strong supporter of family values and a heterosexual definition of marriage.
“As more people, more senators and representatives, become aware of this I can’t help but think they will share my opinion,” he said. “I certainly feel like I will have plenty of allies.”
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Reader Reactions
Amen getreal!
Looks like all DuWayne cares about is the activity around exit 70 on I-85. Up here in the Valley we never see him, unless of course it’s in a photo op that’s going in the VTN!
I hope when election time rolls around we will ALL remeber “do-nothing” DuWayne and send a new person to Montgomery! We all know you can not legistlate morality, people do what they want to do. It does appear that Bridges is on a religeous high horse reguarding the UAB issue, which is really none of Bridges business to start with. I am a conservative, but this man does NOT represent my interest!
We need jobs in the Valley and Chambers County. We need funds to support law enforcement, we need assistance for the elderly…Where are you Mr. Bridges?
Rep Bridges - Focus on your own district. Try to doing something to improve the lives of the residents in your district.
This is to be expected I guess, but still so sad. It doesn’t matter whether or not you support this or not. The fact is, approximately 40% of an employee’s compensation is benefits. This means that a gay staff member is being paid less than their married counterparts for the same work.
And it is a major recruitment issue. We want the very best professionals at all of our universities, and anything we can do to compete with the very best institutions will be a boon to the state. Our universities bring a lot of prestige to Alabama, and this will help.
Please Mr. Bridges, focus on the problems that are rampant in our area. There are plenty to choose from!
I am not particularly comfortable with gay things, but I do think fair is fair. And I do think you have many, many more important things to do with your time. Talk about a misuse of tax dollars!
The universities are not declaring these people married, and are not impacting state law in any way. My tax dollars pay for fraternities and democrat clubs at universities, things I do not like, but that’s what universities are for!
What an ignorant, bigoted, homophobic hick.
Mind your own business, DuWayne.
Your pathetic little district doesn’t include ANY of the Universities in this state, so your opinion on this is just a display of homophobic bigotry.
GAY RIGHTS IS NOT CIVIL RIGHTS.I DO NOT SEE WHY SEXUALITY HAS TO BE IN THE OPEN.HETEROSEXUAL PEOPLE DO NOT GO AROUND PROCLAIMING THEIR SEXUAL PREFERENCE.SO WHY DO HOMOSEXUALS HAVE TO FLAUNT THEIR SEXUALITY.When you select someone as a beneficiary i have not seen the clause where that person has to be a BLOOD RELATIVE. if you gay,you gay why do i have to know that you are?? why do you have to be seen?? I care less if you gay just as you care less i’m straight. WHY DO YOU NEED TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW? WHY? IT IS LIKE THE MILITARY POLICY…...DON’T ASK,DON’T TELL. WHY DO YOU HAVE TO HAVE BE RECOGNIZED? COMING OUT OF THE CLOSET DOES NOT MEAN YOU HAVE TO TELL ME EVERYDAY-YOU GAY!! GET A LIFE!!..I HAVE A JOB TO DO AT WORK…..I’M GAY! I’M GAY! ...SO WHAT???? BEING GAY IS NOT CIVIL RIGHTS…BLACKS DIED FOR VOTING RIGHTS AND EQUALITY, NOT HOMOSEXUALITY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr. Bridges could find better use of his time. With unemployment at or above 20% in his district he should be more concerned about the economy! Oh, yes I forgot that Mr. Bridges owns a truck stop and boot outlet on I-85 exit 70 so his personal economy is doing just fine I suppose.
Mr. Bridges, we the people of Valley want you working on projects you promised durring your last campaign, like new bridges on HWY 29 between Valley & Opelika. We want you working on new job creation…not just the few that have come to the Cusseta exit area!
I have my own spiritual beliefs too, however, there are much more pressing issues in your district than concerning yourself with what goes on at UAB! So please Mr. Bridges, check your priorities…there are A LOT of people in your district that need good paying jobs!
I for one have not forgot the promises you made at a campaign rally at Givorns in Fairfax when Gov. Riley came through that day…and those promises are UNFULFILLED!
debbiewingard2910@hotmail.com
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