Proposed Bill Would Give Medicaid Benefits to Gay Marrieds in Massachusetts
            A bill that would extend to married same-sex couples the same Medicaid protections enjoyed by heterosexual couples could receive a favorable report from the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing as soon as January, the bill's sponsor said Monday, according to the State House News Service.
            Unbundled from the sweeping health care reform efforts now in conference committee, the legislation states, "all persons recognized as spouses for purposes of Massachusetts state law shall be entitled to the same level of benefits under the MassHealth program as persons recognized as spouses pursuant to federal Medicaid law."
            Because MassHealth --- the taxpayer-funded, state-run Medicaid program for the poor, elderly, and disabled --- is funded by the state and federal governments, and the federal government does not recognize same-sex marriage, gay rights supporters say the Legislature and Gov. Mitt Romney must ensure equal treatment under Medicaid.
            The chief sponsor, Rep. Elizabeth Malia (D-Boston) acknowledged that negotiations over her bill could stir echoes of the emotional debate that riveted the Legislature a year ago over same-sex marriage itself. But, she said, discussions of health benefits for same-sex partners predate the marriage debate. "Any time we talk about any of the issues around marriage or around the issues of equity or fairness, it can raise the temperature," she said.
            Following a Sept. 21 legislative hearing, the committee has not scheduled the bill for an executive session, and an aide to Senate Chair Richard Moore (D-Uxbridge) said the House side hasn't contacted their Senate colleagues about attaching a report to the bill. Moore likely would not oppose the measure, said aide Helen Flaherty.