After Complaint, Shriners Hospitals to Extend Same Sex Medical Coverage

The Washington State Attorney General's office reports that Shriners Hospital  will now extend medical benefit coverage to same-sex couples.

According to KHQ-TV Spokane, the Shriners will now extend such coverage at all their hospitals nationwide, after a complaint was lodged by a Shriner's employee in Washington state that their partner was not receiving the same medical coverage from the hospital.

Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson said after contacting hospital officials about two weeks ago, the hospital announced they will offer such coverage not just to employees at their facility in Spokane, but their other 19 hospitals across the country.

Ferguson previously investigated a complaint against O'Reilly Auto Parts for allegedly not offering similar coverage, the company has since then changed it's medical benefit policies.

While Ferguson's office would not confirm reports,  sources say the Attorney General's office hinted at legal action against the two companies if they did not immediately modify their policies.   Since the legalization of same-sex marriage in Washington state, Ferguson's office says all companies that offer benefits now must offer same-sex partner medical benefit coverage.