News (USA)

Brookdale to offer same-sex spousal benefits in response to lawsuit

Brookdale to offer same-sex spousal benefits in response to lawsuit

HARTFORD, Conn. — A Tennessee-based company that is a target of a sex discrimination complaint in Connecticut says it’s changing its policy and will provide health coverage to the spouses of same-sex couples.

BrookdaleKerry Considine, a 36-year-old physical therapist from Griswold, filed the complaint against Brookdale Senior Living on Jan. 17 with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after being denied benefits for her wife, Renee.

The company, which runs 550 retirement centers including the one where Considine works in West Hartford, says it is in the process of revising its policies and within 60 days will “include spousal coverage for any marriage or civil union recognized by state law.”

Considine’s attorney, Janson Wu, says while they welcome the policy change, the discrimination that Considine already suffered still needs to be addressed.

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