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Missouri Will Extend Health-Care Benefits to Same-Sex Spouses

Missouri state employees will now be able to enroll their same-sex spouses in the state's health-care program after a ruling by a judge this month.

Missouri state employees will now be able to enroll their same-sex spouses in the state's health-care program after a ruling by a judge this month. Shutterstock

Missouri state employees will now be able to enroll their same-sex spouses in the state’s health-care program after a ruling by a judge this month.

Jackson County Circuit Judge J. Dale Youngs ruled on October 3 that Missouri must recognize same-sex marriages sanctioned by other states despite the Missouri Constitution only recognizing marriage as between one man and one woman.

Attorney General Chris Koster said that the state will not appeal the ruling.

“At a time when Missouri is competing to attract the nation’s premier businesses and most talented employees, we should not demand that certain individuals surrender their marriage licenses in order to live and work among us. Missouri’s future will be one of inclusion, not exclusion,” Koster said in a statement released after the ruling.

The Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan (MCHCP) announced after the ruling that it will now accept the enrollment of same-sex spouses with a valid marriage certificate.

The MCHCP provides nearly 100,000 state employees and retirees of most state agencies and other public entities.

There has been no indication as to how many same-sex spouses may enroll, but the MCHCP has already received inquiries from employees, reports the Kansas City Star.