Pres Obama Orders Same-Sex Couples Hospital Visitation Rights!

Run time: 05:10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7ogA5zzi5c   Posted on YouTube: April 16, 2010 By YouTube Member: MoxNewsDotCom Views on YouTube: 249   Posted on DU: April 16, 2010 By DU Member: Tx4obama Views on DU: 796

 
Anderson Cooper interviews the woman whose partner died which inspired President Obama to move forward on the issue of ensuring Same-Sex Couples have Hospital Visitation Rights.

Note: This will also pertain to heterosexual unmarried couples, widows, singles, etc.
EVERYONE will have the right to decide who can visit them and also who can make decisions for them.

CNN article: http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/04/15/hospital.gay.visitation/index.html?hpt=T1


Excerpt from Huffington Post article:

WASHINGTON — In a move hailed as a step toward fairness for same-sex couples, President Barack Obama is ordering that nearly all hospitals allow patients to say who has visitation rights and who can help make medical decisions, including gay and lesbian partners.

The White House on Thursday released a statement by Obama instructing his Health and Human Services secretary to draft rules requiring hospitals that receive Medicare and Medicaid payments to grant all patients the right to designate people who can visit and consult with them at crucial moments.

The designated visitors should have the same rights that immediate family members now enjoy, Obama's instructions said. It said Medicare-Medicaid hospitals, which include most of the nation's facilities, may not deny visitation and consultation privileges on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Full article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20100416/us-obama-hospital-patients/

EDITED TO ADD - Here's a link to President Obama's full memorandum/statement:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-memorandum-hospital-visitation

unbelievable, really when you think about it in today's age, that they would literally deny someone with legal papers in hand

just unbelievable

Here's a link to President Obama's full memorandum/statement:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-memorandum-hospital-visitation

this is a nice changey :):applause:

be with those they love. It is appalling to think that callous and indifferent people would stand in the way during such times of tragedy and high emotion.

I worked in a hospital for many years, during these times, I would offer what solace I could. I had not problem taking individuals in to see their loved ones, unless the patient had specifically denied access to someone, I could see no reason to keep people apart at such a tragic time.

In the course of events that happened in the hospital I worked at, I would often be confronted by family members who would ask the very basic question, "what can I do?". Invariably, my suggestion was for the person to go in and "clear the table, just talk, let *---* know how you feel, share your lives. This may be the last time you have to get together." In every case, I was thanked profusely for my "advice".

I lost my father to colon cancer when I was 13, I did not have that last chance to tell him I loved him; I did not have that last chance to hold his hand, look into his eyes, to let him know i was there. I don't think anyone should be denied that last time with their loved one. Once the event reaches finality, there will never be another chance to be there, to show what support, what love, what caring is all about. That lost opportunity can, and will haunt an individual for the rest of their lives.

How some misguided people that have nothing to do with the love people feel for each other, think they can find "moral" ground by denying others a basic Human Right, often an obligation, is beyond me. I have to wonder just how miserable a person could possibly come up with such a "rule" that would deny an expression an love and compassion.

I thank the president or this ruling, and I hope that no one will ever be denied this very human experience again.

One last thing, for those who are facing similar situations where there is an eminent death coming about, please, go to those who are suffering, extend a warm and loving hand. Let those you love know you are there, it is a great comfort...and one you will eventually need as well.


Edited: dumb Typo's...:blush:

this was still the practice of hospitals. I always wondered if it had changed in all these years. I had an Aunt (my father's sister-in-law) who died of cancer and, although I had not kept in touch with her or her partner for years after my father died, I have always wondered if her life-long partner had been able to be with her during her illness and subsequent death (her partner passed away a few years back too). Because her brother, and all other close relatives had passed, and she may not have had anyone other than her partner, I can only hope that her partner was allowed to be with her and that she did not die alone!

Thank you Obama for making this significant and progressive change!