Wal-Mart will offer health insurance benefits to same-sex couples and domestic partners

[PoliticAverse]

starting in 2014.

The nation's largest retailer, the second-largest employer behind only the federal government, said domestic partners of its U.S. employees will be eligible starting Jan. 1 in a postcard mailed to workers this week.

The change will cover same-sex couples, as well as domestic partners of opposite genders who have been living together and in a committed relationship for at least a year.

Read the rest at: http://money.cnn.com/2013/08/27/news/companies/walmart-same-sex-benefits/index.html?iid=HP_LN

[gopiscrap]

1. Iamagine that, this is the only thing that Wal Mart has done

right since it was started. It's also another indicator that the fight for LGBT equality is turning the corner!

[MrsKirkley]

2. How will this effect eligibility for health insurance subsidies for cohabitating couples?

Having access to health insurance through an employer or a spouse's employer means not being eligible for health insurance subsidies in 2014. Since Walmart has decided to offer coverage to same sex couples and domestic partners, I'm wondering if this means significant others of Walmart employees won't be eligible for subsidies even if they aren't married.