Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. South Dakota Wheat Growers Ass'n

**EEOC v. South Dakota Wheat Growers Association: Pregnancy Coverage Required Even After Termination** This case involved a female employee who was fired by the South Dakota Wheat Growers Association. After her termination, the company offered her the option to continue her health insurance coverage by converting to an individual policy. However, this converted policy excluded coverage for pregnancy-related medical expenses. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sued the company, arguing this exclusion was illegal sex discrimination. The court sided with the EEOC, ruling that excluding pregnancy coverage from post-employment insurance violates federal anti-discrimination law. The judge found that even though the woman was no longer employed, the company couldn't offer her a health plan that treated pregnancy differently from other medical conditions. **What this means for workers:** Employers cannot discriminate against pregnancy when offering continuation health coverage to former employees. If your company allows you to keep your health insurance after leaving your job, that coverage must include pregnancy-related benefits on the same terms as other medical conditions. This protection applies even after your employment ends, ensuring that women aren't penalized for pregnancy when transitioning between jobs or insurance plans.