More New Health Benefits for Same Sex Couples that Tax Dollars Will Pay For

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The Obama administration is giving a new health benefit to same-sex partners of federal employees — and it’s built on one of the most popular provisions of “Obamacare” — allowing children to stay on their parents’ health plans until age 26.

The rule would extend eligibility in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program to the children of an enrollee’s same-sex partner. It also would extend coverage in the federal employees’ dental and vision insurance programs.

The Obama administration decision stemmed from a June 17, 2009, administration memorandum asking the Office of Personnel Management to provide certain benefits to federal employees’ same-sex domestic partners. The change was made possible by tweaking the definition of “Stepchild.”