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Stonewall commends President Obama's memo on hospital visitation rights Press Release - April 14th, 2010

MEDIA CONTACT: Michael Mitchell
Executive Director
202-625-1382
mmitchell@stonewalldemocrats.org

National Stonewall Democrats commended President Obama for issuing a memorandum that instructs his Department of Health and Human Services to issue regulations that would require hospitals that receive Medicare or Medicaid funding to allow same-sex couples visitation rights. The memorandum further required hospitals to allow patients to designate their medical power of attorney.

Said Michael Mitchell, Executive Director, National Stonewall Democrats:

"When President Obama accepted the Democratic nomination in Denver in 2008, he said that while not everyone may agree on same-sex marriage, 'surely we can agree that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters deserve to visit the person they love in the hospital.'" With his memorandum, the President took a bold step toward righting the injustice that too many lesbian and gay couples feel in their most vulnerable moments -- when someone is injured or ill.

"We are proud of the President's actions, and look forward to seeing it implemented as soon as possible."