Initial Post Instructions

Changes in our legal system may have unintended consequences. Reflect on the US Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v Hodges, 576 U.S. __; 135 S. Ct. 2584 (2015), which held that the fundamental right to marriage is guaranteed to same-sex couples by the Due Process Clause of the United States Constitution, and answer the following questions, with particular emphasis on access to health care for the parties in question:

1. Should employers continue to offer "domestic partner" benefits and require employees to marry if they want coverage for the nonemployee spouse?
2. What will be the effect on unmarried opposite-sex couples (i.e., will employers cover them even if they do not marry and what is the legality of such an action)?
3. And if same-sex couples choose not to get married (for fear of outing themselves in a state that does not have anti-discrimination laws, for example), will the nonemployee partner be left uninsured?

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Answer The decision in Obergefell v Hodges indeed had significant implications for access to healthcare benefits particularly regarding domestic partner benefits offered by employers Here are some con... View the full answer