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Sandra Haggard, a 71-year-old professor, has been in a committed relationship with her partner, Lynne Lamstein, for more than two decades. They never had plans to marry — nor do they now — even though same-sex marriage has been declared a constitutional right. But ever since same-sex marriage became legalized two years ago in Maine, where the couple lives part of the year, Ms. Haggard said she has had a niggling worry that her employer, the University of Maine, might eliminate domestic partner health coverage for Ms. Lamstein, 66, a freelance writer. Ms. Lamstein uses Ms. Haggard’s plan because Medicare does not cover a medication that she needs. (Bernard, 6/28)

The right to marry in any state won’t be the only gain for gay couples from last week’s Supreme Court ruling. The decision will probably boost health insurance among gay couples as same-sex spouses get access to employer plans, say analysts and benefits consultants. (Hancock, 6/29)

The landmark U.S. Supreme Court 5-4 decision Friday granting all same-sex couples the right to marry throughout the country is significant for civil rights, but it also will likely change the health insurance landscape. Now that same-sex marriage is legal in every state, more employees will add their same-sex partners to their health plans. But it's also likely that a number of employers will soon drop their domestic partnership benefits and instead require employees to marry if they want to extend coverage to their partners. (Schencker and Herman, 6/26)

The Supreme Court’s decision to legalize gay marriage nationwide will force major changes in states’ Medicaid programs as well as affect the Obamacare exchanges. With the court’s landmark 5-4 ruling on Friday, a state’s Medicaid program must now recognize same-sex couples who are married when they apply for eligibility, regardless of where they got married. (Pradhan, 6/26)

Public employers including Texas agencies, universities and schools may now be required to extend benefits to spouses of married gay employees in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling Friday that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. (Ura, 6/26)

From family leave policies to survivor benefits, legalized same-sex marriage will affect how Michigan employers offer health care and workplace benefits to workers. Yet the full financial and legal ramifications of Friday's U.S. Supreme Court decision on businesses are not yet known. (Reindl and Witsil, 6/27)