Coverage for UC Workers’ Partners Delayed

SAN FRANCISCO — At the request of Gov. Pete Wilson, University of California system President Richard Atkinson on Thursday delayed implementing a policy extending health care benefits to the gay partners of university employees.

Wilson, an ex-officio member of the UC Board of Regents who opposes the policy, asked that it be put off pending further discussion at the November regents meeting. He made the request through Regent John Davies, who is his judicial appointments secretary.

Asked after Thursday’s regents meeting if Wilson planned to speak at the November session, Davies replied: “I imagine.”

Atkinson on Thursday had planned to announce to the regents that he would institute the policy, which is an administrative matter that does not require Board of Regents approval.

It would have brought the 136,000 university employees in line with those at dozens of campuses across the country that offer same-sex domestic partner benefits or are considering them. Lack of the offer, Atkinson said, is hurting recruitment and retention of faculty and staff.

Atkinson’s decision also would have authorized campus chancellors to permit domestic partners to stay in student family housing.

The policy’s projected cost would be $1.9 million to $5.6 million above the $400 million spent on health benefits. Atkinson had planned to implement the policy in time for the November open enrollment period for health benefits, which would have made domestic partners eligible for coverage in March.

Although Atkinson had authority to extend the benefits on his own, he said he would not, after the governor’s plea, “in the best interests of the university.”