N.Y. Health Insurer Sued Over Coverage for Same-Sex Spouse

The New York Civil Liberties Union is suing a western New York health insurer accused of refusing to cover the same-sex spouse of a policy holder.

A suit filed in state Supreme Court in Buffalo says Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Western New York is breaching its contract with the Cheektowaga Central School District, and violating an executive law against sexual orientation-based discrimination.

A Blue Cross spokeswoman did not immediately respond to telephone and e-mail requests for comment.

The lawsuit involves a Cheektowaga district school psychologist and the woman she married in Canada in 2006.

The NYCLU points to an appeals court’s February decision that same-sex marriages legal in other states and countries are entitled to recognition in New York.

Latest Comments

• July 18, 2008 at 2:08 am

  lastbat says:

  Is there proof that heterosexual couples offer a greater benefit to society than homosexual couples? The only article I remember reading on it, granted this has been many mon... read more
• July 18, 2008 at 2:02 am

  lastbat says:

  Personally I think the government should get out of the marriage business altogether. I don't think the government should formally recognize any union on any basis other than ... read more
• July 18, 2008 at 1:42 am

  KLS says:

  I'm sorry, but I'm not understanding your point about passing over on the minority conditions. Because there are fewer of them, they should not be considered is what I think I... read more