Government knows best (it says)

"I knew it wasn't right," said Couture, who was raised a Roman Catholic.

A doctor has accused St. Mary's Hospital of bias for its refusal to extend health insurance to his civil-union partner.

Dr. Alan J. Couture, 36, an emergency physician at St. Mary's for eight years, filed a complaint Thursday with the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. He accused the hospital of discriminating against him on the basis of his sexual orientation and marital status.

He and Robert McDonald, 28, joined in a civil union last October. Couture received only one insurance card, and McDonald learned he was not covered when he tried to schedule an appointment with the couple's primary care physician.St. Mary's operates independently of, but in cooperation with, the Archdiocese of Hartford,Robert Ritz, the hospital's president, said that as a Catholic institution, it abides by the "ethical and religious directives of the church."

Civil unions became state law last October.

Phil Johnson, vice president of human resources at St. Mary's Hospital, said officials made the decision after careful review."He is a good member of our staff, but to change our philosophy or our values at this point would be inconsistent."The hospital also refuses coverage for birth control or sterilizations, which conflict with Catholic principles, Johnson said.