Short Fuse
US Census: Gay marriages don't count
The marriages of thousands of same sex couples will be whited-out by the US Census in its 2010 tally, thanks to the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Passed by Congress in 1996, the act denies gay married couples in Massachusetts (and now, California) hundreds of federal benefits because it defines marriage exclusively as a union between a man and a woman. Gay spouses cannot jointly file taxes, and they cannot collect survivor benefits from Social Security. Ignoring thousands of legal gay marriages would seem to violate the Census's mission, which is to supply accurate data about the nation. Instead, married gay couples will be listed as unmarried. It's time to repeal the law and opt for greater equality.
Gas mileage: Not so charitable
People who drive for charity -- think Meals on Wheels, or just getting to the local food pantry -- haven't received an increase in the federal income tax deduction allowed for use of their personal cars in 10 years. It's 14 cents a mile, an absurdly low reimbursement rate with gas at $4 a gallon. In contrast, the rate for corporate employees who use their cars for work is 58.5 cents a mile. For obscure reasons, Congress needs to approve charitable mileage deductions but not business ones, which the IRS can reset at will. A bill finally has been introduced to peg the charitable deduction at 70 percent of the business rate. Why not 100 percent? Volunteers don't expect to get paid, but neither should they lose money for their good works.
Dental care: Let the hygienists do it
Last week's Globe report on the difficulty many of the state's newly insured residents are having getting dentist appointments underscores the need for pending legislation that would expand access to dental care. Under the bill, dental hygienists -- in collaborative agreements with dentists -- could provide care in health centers, schools, nursing homes, and other settings. The bill would also provide new career ladders for dental assistants in dentists' practices, and create new full-time positions for dental directors in both the Department of Public Health and the state Medicaid office. Dental care is part of overall health and shouldn't be left out of the effort to cover every Massachusetts resident. 