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Obama orders hospital visit rights for gays, lesbians
[Updated at 7:57 p.m.] The president's memo Thursday notes that "There are few moments in our lives that call for great compassion and companionship that when a loved one is admitted to the hospital ... Yet every day, all across America, patients are denied the kindnesses and caring of a loved one at their sides ..."
Read the president's memorandum (PDF)
Gay and lesbian Americans are "uniquely affected" by the relatives-only policy at hospitals, Obama said, adding that they "are often barred from the bedsides of the partners with whom they may have spent decades of their lives - unable to be there for the person they love, and unable to act as a legal surrogate if their partner is incapacitated."
The president listed widowers without children and members of certain religious orders among those who suffer under the policy.
[Posted at 7:49 p.m.] President Barack Obama has told the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a rule that would not allow hospitals to deny visitation privileges to gay and lesbian partners.
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Thank you, Mr. President.
What a great and admirable move. I do have a lot of this respect for Obama and what' he's done already for Gay rights. Can't wait to see where this momentum will take the gay community.
Rationality? From a President? I love it!
Long overdue, and really only a minor "step forward", but good for the Prez for actually doing SOMETHING for the LGBT folks.
poco a poco. little by little.
Someday....
Someday people will look back and they won't be able to believe that GLBT folks were denied some of the most basic rights.
FINALLY!
I'm not homosexual, but I totally support this change in policy and am so happy that the President is recognizing this basic human right!
Congratulations to everyone who this will effect!
Would you expect anything less from Obama?
Pres. Obama is America's President!!!! Thank you for everything you are doing. We look forward to November 2010, and voting these neo-cons out of office.
I don't need the Presudebt's help on this matter. My partner and I have Legal Medical Power Attorney on each other, as well as Finanical and we are each other's Executor's of what estate we have. Cost us $2,500.00. Signed, sealed and delivered. With that said it would be nice for those who don't want to speand the money. However President Obama has not kept his promise to the GLB&T Community.
Uhh, HIPAA. Either the patient waives it and they can have visitors or they don't and they can't. There is no exception for married couples.
Yes! This makes so much sense!
It may be a very long overdue and obvious policy for most people to see, but it is still a hugely important step which should not be overlooked.
He should really delegate this activity to cabinet members with his signature. We really have more pressing matters to deal with – like California State Bankruptcy and the trillions of National Debt. Maybe if the economy was moving well – employed gay couples could afford a doctor to take care of their sick partner at home.
little by little--Rome wasn't built in a day--this man can multi-task unlike his predecessor who could barely speak!
Thank You Mr. President!!!! NoH8