WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (UPI)

The battle over domestic-partner health benefits for U.S. gay couples continues to rage at the state level. A Michigan appeals court ruled that public organizations, like universities and government bodies, may not extend health benefits to the gay partners of employees. To do so, the court said, would violate a voter-approved ban on gay marriage. Meanwhile, the New Hampshire Legislature heard testimony Monday on a bill that would extend health benefits to the same-sex partners of state workers. The bill comes in response to a superior court decision last year requiring the state to provide the benefits to gay workers. The state appealed to the New Hampshire Supreme Court, and the case is awaiting trial.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International