RENWL

Health Bill Could Be Rude Awakening For Married Same Sex Couples

The Wall Street Journal reported today that some married couples would have to pay thousands of dollars more in health insurance than unmarried couples living together under the pending health insurance overhaul package awaiting approval in Congress.

Calling the loophole a built-in “marriage penalty” thats included in both the House and Senate versions of the healthcare bill, the Journal states that many low-income and middle-class married couples might have to pay upwards of $2000 or more —than their unmarried counter-parts for annual health insurance premium costs.

The good news however, is that the marriage penalty only applies to those couples who purchase subsidized insurance through the plans set up by healthcare legislation. It would not apply to those couples who receive health benefits through their employers.

While the Journal article did not specifically acknowledge same-sex couples, one would assume that the marriage penalty rule would apply to both same-sex and straight married couples in regards to healthcare subsidy costs.  It is estimated that over 17 million individuals would receive subsidized benefits once those health plans go into effect.

If the “marriage penalty” ends up in the final legislation this may be something for gay couples (at least those in the six states where same sex marriage is allowed) to consider before they before they get hitched.

~Wall Street Journal