Lesbian couple sues BlueCross over denial of spousal health care benefits

Married in Canada, school psychologist, spouse say they were denied their rights
By Gene Warner
NEWS STAFF REPORTER
07/10/08

When a Buffalo lesbian couple was denied spousal health care benefits in February following their marriage in Canada two years ago, BlueCross BlueShield denied their human rights guaranteed under state law, a civil liberties group claims in a lawsuit filed Wednesday.

The New York Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit on behalf of Jeanne Kornowicz, a school psychologist in the Cheektowaga Central Schools, and her spouse, Joy Higgins. The couple married in Ontario in April 2006, and they have a 1-year-old daughter, Elizabeth Higgins.

The West Side couple, who have been in a relationship for nearly 10 years, declined to comment, except for a brief statement issued through the civil liberties group. the rest