News
April 14, 2010
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."
Posted by mezcla at April 14, 2010 9:18 PM
