Adoption coverage will be studied The Layman Online Thursday, June 20, 2002 214th General Assembly Columbus, Ohio June 15-22, 2002 COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Board of Pensions, which manages health insurance and retirement programs for ministers in the Presbyterian Church (USA), will conduct a study to determine whether there might be some benefits available for Presbyterian ministers who want to adopt children. Overture 02-46 from the Presbytery of Sacramento asked the 214th General Assembly to authorize the payment of adoption costs in the amount of the average coverage for childbirth benefits. The overture said, "Adoption is the only option available for the building of a family for those who suffer the pain of infertility. The cost of adoption through legitimate agencies may exceed $10,000 ($15,000 for overseas adoption), an expense not currently covered by the Board of Pensions of the PCUSA. For many pastors, especially those working in small and/or rural ministries, the cost of adoption may be out of reach. The cost of adoption is relatively equivalent to the costs associated with pregnancy and childbirth, expenses that are covered by the Board of Pensions of the PCUSA." But during a brief floor debate, Albert Putsey of the Presbytery of Wabash County, a member of the Committee on Pensions, Benefits and Stewardship, said present law did not allow Presbyterian health coverage to offset adoption expenses. The committee voted 48-0 to ask the General Assembly to give the Board of Pensions time to study the matter. The assembly concurred by voice vote June 19.

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