Law to end health benefits for same-sex partners blocked

SAN FRANCISCO (AP):

A federal appeals court says same-sex partners of Arizona government workers are entitled to the same health-care benefits provided to opposite-sex couples.

The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday upheld the blocking of a state law that would have terminated health-insurance eligibility for same-sex partners of state workers.

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer in September 2009 signed a law repealing the same-sex benefits granted in 2008. A group of gay and lesbian state workers filed a lawsuit two months later, and a federal judge blocked the law from taking effect, ruling that it appeared to be unconstitutional.

A three-judge appeals court panel agreed with the lower court's decision, ruling that denying same-sex partners the benefits would violate equal protection provisions of the Constitution.