Obama Extends Hospital Visitation Rights to Gay and Lesbian Couples

On Thursday, President Obama ordered his Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebeliusto issue new rules that would grant hospital visitation rights to same-sex partners.

It will take time for the new rules to be drafted and put into place, but it is progress, an enormous step in the right direction towards equality for members of the LGBT community. 

In a memo issued by the Obama Administration, the President said, “Every day, all across America, patients are denied the kindness and caring of a loved one at their sides.”  

The changes will also make it easier for partners to make medical decisions on behalf of one another, could help widows and widowers who rely on friends, and would benefit members of religious orders who care for one another. 

White House spokesman Shin Inouye said Thursday night that the new rules will “help ensure that patients will be able to face difficult times in hospitals with compassion, dignity and respect. By taking these steps, we can better protect the interests and needs of patients that are gay or lesbian, widows and widowers with no children, members of religious orders, or others for whom their loved ones are not always immediate relatives. All Americans should be able to have loved ones there for them in their time of need.”

The president confirmed that these new rules would affect any hospital that participates in the Federal government run programs, Medicare or Medicaid.

Several states have already tried to put an end to discrimination against same-sex couples, and it is clear that the President hopes to build on those efforts. Going forward, same sex partners will enjoy the same visiting privileges that have been enjoyed by immediate family members for decades.

In an interview with the NY Times, David Smith, Vice President of Policy for the Human Rights Campaign said, “It’s a huge deal. Nearly every hospital in the country will now be required to provide hospital visitation rights to LGBT families. In the absence of equal marriage rights in most jurisdictions, this step provides an essential right to LGBT families for a gay person or a lesbian person to spend time with their partner in a critical situation.”

During his campaign, Obama promised that he would fight for the rights of gay men and lesbians.  This memo comes on the heels of a major push by the White House to repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” 

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