President Obama Grants Hospital Visitation Rights To Same Sex Partners!

4/16/2010 11:00 AM ET | Filed under: Gay Gay Gay • Politik • Barack Obama

President Obama took a step toward equal rights on Thursday when he mandated that hospitals allow visitation to the partners of gay men and women, along with respecting patients' choices about who can make critical health-care decisions for them.

The new rules will affect any hospital that receives Medicare or Medicaid funding and will become active within months.

"Discrimination touches every facet of the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, including at times of crisis and illness, when we need our loved ones with us more than ever," said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign.

And per usual, opponents of gay marriage are all up in arms about the whole thing! Their warped thinking truly believes that this decision is undermining the definition of marriage.

But Obama issued the following elegant memo to the Department of Health and Human Services.

It read:

"Every day, all across America, patients are denied the kindnesses and caring of a loved one at their sides whether in a sudden medical emergency or a prolonged hospital stay.

Affected are "gay and lesbian Americans who 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."

President Obama was inspired by the story of a lesbian couple in Florida, Janice Langbehn and Lisa Pond, who were not allowed to see each other when Pond collapsed of a cerebral aneurysm in February 2007 and died alone in the hospital hours later because of these outdated policies.

And the new mandate will not only apply to gays. Widows and widowers will now be able to receive visits from friends and companions.

Small victories.

[Image via WENN.]

Tags: equality, gay rights, hospital, mandates

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104 comments to “President Obama Grants Hospital Visitation Rights To Same Sex Partners!”

More comments: [1] 2 »

buck says – reply to this

1

the real fight from gays should always have been with hospitals, not the marriage issue. obviously everyone can marry, simply find a nice woman and settle down. now everyone can enter a hospital, case closed.
OzoxD says – reply to this

2

Obama is one sexy son of a bitch!
luvstotango says – reply to this

3

Every single day, this guy kicks sand in our face.
A reckoning is coming. Teapartiers, unleash The Cracken!
WMariah says – reply to this

4

This is great news indeed…for everyone including straights.
SWEETPIECE! says – reply to this

5

Absolutely wonderful!
.
He is getting into his groove.
.
Go Obama, you handsome man!
g8rsig says – reply to this

6

Progress… slow, but progress. Nice going Prez. Now, how about DADT??! Just get rid of it.
AzureAngel says – reply to this

7

Super awesome!

Shame that it has to be made law though, you would think people would have enough common decency to let partners be their with their loved ones anyway, regardless of their sexual orientation.
CeeCee says – reply to this

8

this is great news and huge step towards equal rights… even if not while he's in office but wayyyy afterwards… Ne one with a heart should be able to relate to this story!
kissmyassobama says – reply to this

9

Asshole pushing more homo shit in GOOD peoples faces! Fuckin loser. Go away.
kissmyassobama says – reply to this

10

Re: OzoxD – If zippy monkeys turn you on I guess so.
Visa says – reply to this

11

Since I practice family law, I love it.
stepford wifey says – reply to this

12

FINALLY! HUGE victory!
Keepin~It~Reel says – reply to this

13

One Cracken unleashed here… can't wait for election day to clean house.
Cheezees says – reply to this

14

What a GREAT decision!!!!!! However, the fact that this has to be made into law speaks volumes about the intolerance of American society but at least it's changing now.
chadlybrown says – reply to this

15

This "memo" is bullshit and not even LAW.
false title the 'memo' states very specifically it's not enforceable, and
does not deem it a right…
More BS from Washington. Take your "gesture" and…. never mind.
Mayapapaya1 says – reply to this

16

Yes, small victory, but a victory nontheless.
_Alice_ says – reply to this

17

Re: buck – Hey Buck Why are you always first on the posts that have to do with gay rights???? Is that all you're worried about? Interesting. Get a life Buck. Gay people are human beings who deserve to be treated with kindness and compassion, just like you. I won't be mean to you Buck. But I will give you my pity. It must suck to be you. Anywho, gotta run. You know I still ♥ you though
Poindexter-X says – reply to this

18

Great news!
Mayapapaya1 says – reply to this

19

Re: kissmyassobama – You do realize that Perez is gay, right? lol
meme says – reply to this

20

Sad that this had to be a presidential decree to become possible. I know so many people who lie and say it is their brother or sister so they can get in the hospital room. Now they don't have to.
supersongbird says – reply to this

21

You go Obama!
How about a mandate that says everyone can marry whoever they want!
Equal rights for all!!!
suzyq131 says – reply to this

22

How can you say this is a small victory?? I think this is a wonderful step and I'm really proud of our President for doing this! It is utterly confusing that anyone in this world has that much hate in their hearts that they would rather someone die alone b/c of the gender of whom they love. It's just so disturbing. PLUS why does someone have to be gay to understand basic human rights? That irritates me even more. It's just logical not to stand in the way of another persons happiness b/c they love someone different then you do. Who do these protestors think they are and what gives them the right to deny another human ANYTHING!!
_Alice_ says – reply to this

23

Re: kissmyassobama – Right, because someone visiting a dying loved one is so awful! How dare he push that on you!
I love reading all the hatred spewed by you "Christians". Makes me happy to know you're so pissed off. Now go fuck yourself you piece of shit.
suzyq131 says – reply to this

24

Marriage for all should be next! So sickening that America land of the free only applies to heteros.
sheesha says – reply to this

25

so HUGE so FANTASTIC!
tangerinextrees says – reply to this

26

Well, shit, it's about time.
Honkytonkbitch says – reply to this

27

Re: kissmyassobama – You appear to have some serious issues. If your father molested you, it's alright to visit a councilor or, someone that could help you. Why aren't homosexuals good people?! It's strange that anyone in this civilized world would make a brainless generalization like that. I have never met all homosexuals; if you've done so, props to you. It's also sad that you had to resort to profanities to phrase a simple sentence…I could go on and on, you're just sad!
JonSin says – reply to this

28

About time. Anyone who thinks that anyone should be denied the basic right of visiting their loved one in the hospital is simply a terrible human being.
JonSin says – reply to this

29

Re: _Alice_ – You are amazing. A class act. Thank you! xoxo
slite says – reply to this

30

This is a no brainer.
love beaucoup says – reply to this

31

imhetero but finally in which era r we living???? really/ i mean reaallly. ok now i see the 'work' that is necessary to advance. I like what Buck says..Love and have a wonderful WE
SWEETPIECE! says – reply to this

32

Re: _Alice_ – 17 So true Alice! Nice to see you. Hope all is well with you and yours.
SWEETPIECE! says – reply to this

33

Re: buck – Buck the Fuck, come on out! I won't call you Buck the Fuck anymore, but Buck "The Fuck!"
SWEETPIECE! says – reply to this

34

Re: kissmyassobama – 9 Not in your face then I take it. For in my opinion, you are NOT a good person.
Poindexter-X says – reply to this

35

Re: _Alice_ –

Agreed! : )
like, whatever! says – reply to this

36

The only good thing I have seen this president do!
lovers says – reply to this

37

i'm not for gay marriage; but i support this a lot! why should someone lying on their death bed not be allowed to see their loved one(s)? to deny somone who is dying to not see their loved one(s) is wrong on so many levels.
!!whuh says – reply to this

38

Funny how you've only picked up on the "gay" part of this 'memo' from Obama. No mention of the religious aspect of this? Typical Perez staffers…tunnel-vision rookies
DWG says – reply to this

39

Re: _Alice_ – not all of us christians are against gays hes just a nut
DSummerfan says – reply to this

40

Don't understand why some hetero-people can be so selfish in this world. This right to see your love one in a hospital should be a right not matter who and what sexual orientation they have. I'm so happy our President has some class !
LoveChrisPine says – reply to this

41

It's about time!
Coopt says – reply to this

42

What the Hell does this have to do with celebrity gossip? I don't come here to read about this. I can get this in my local paper. Stick to what you know Mario.
LoveChrisPine says – reply to this

43

Re: _Alice_ – Hey, hey, hey now, I'm a Christian and think this is WONDERFUl news. Assumptions can get you into trouble sometimes so pls remember this next time you express your opinions. Thanks!
Stepy says – reply to this

44

Even though Im still unsure where I totally stand with gay marriage…this is GREAT news! I definitely believe that the partners should be able to visit and be with their loved one while they are in the hospital and be made POA if they so choose!

I dont see any reason why this would upset people against gay marriage.
luvstotango says – reply to this

45

Re: Keepin~It~Reel – Just finished walking my two little Maltese boys…Rush said today, Obama is going after Goldman Sachs, which means all of Wall Street.
-
Well, at least the good new is, not very many Americans have 401K's that will be destroyed.
-
That bastard! Every single day galvanizes, 'We The People'.
Stay strong, Cracken.
trinigirl123 says – reply to this

46

Damn, I didn't know they couldn't see their dying loved ones before. How heartbreaking.
Mario Loves Underage Boys says – reply to this

47

to bad you will never have a partner to visit pedo boy.

bringing your mutt to the vet doesn't count.
JackTheRipper says – reply to this

48

The only thing I "pray" for is the kissmyassobama dies in a 5 car pileup.
ALFREDOXO says – reply to this

49

i love it
MP says – reply to this

50

I've never understood that family only hospital policy. Sometimes the people we choose to let into our life are more family than our biological family. It should have nothing to do with marriage at all, what about heterosexual people who are in a relationship, but are unmarried? I would like to know when this "mandate" will go into effect.
_Alice_ says – reply to this

51

Re: DWG – Re: LoveChrisPine – Both of you are correct. I shouldn't generalize. My apologies
danger danger says – reply to this

52

ABOUT FREAKING TIME!!! keep it coming Obama!
Moreaces says – reply to this

53

Great, Great News, Now lets do something about marriage and the military, lets do the right thing
Dollface04 says – reply to this

54

Re: kissmyassobama – I wish I knew who you were. I doubt you know anyone who happens to be gay because you wouldn't be saying such hateful things..but you can get to know me while I'm ripping your head off ugly bitch. I'll gouge out your fucking eyes.
Tnorris says – reply to this

55

That's utterly fucking stupid that's the way it used to be. About freakin' time
airstreamingypsy says – reply to this

56

He is the best president ever. I'm glad I campaigned for him, I've never regretted voting for him.
TP Kirkland says – reply to this

57

Why does the USA keep trying, kicking and screaming, to live like it's still 1958?
Religion poisons everything? ? ?
h8terboi says – reply to this

58

instead of giving gays hospital visitation rights he should be giving those sickos mental health treatment. being homosexual is sick and disgusting, as well as an abomination in the eyes of the creator.
luvstotango says – reply to this

59

Last week Obama's 'sand in face' prank, was give NASA the finger.
Forget about the moon thing, that's the least of it.
All military drones and other life-saving military applications depend on GPS and regular upkeep of satellites, to keep us and our men and women in uniform, from harm. This is also what NASA does.
-
Obama probably got permission from, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, to greenlight 'throwing the gays a bone' an the expense of killing off NASA. Phew, that was a good trade.
Keeping America strong! Good job Obama. B+
vixposh says – reply to this

60

Its about time!!!! Too bad that's all he can do! He needs to get his act together and seriously advocate for LGBT rights while he is in office.
jezzie14 says – reply to this

61

This is the one thing he has done that should have been a given a long time ago. Other than this there is nothing else I can give him credit for unless it is changing the country and not in a good way!
lopezfanyeah says – reply to this

62

Gay people are going to be oppressed by Obama's killer health care just like heteros. There will be no one to visit when Rahm emanuel's death squads don't let gays receive treatment!
SammiDe says – reply to this

63

WTG Obama, hopefully this paves the way for Gays to GET ALL their RIGHTS!!! Absurd people want to dictate who another should marry, when more then HALF STRAIGHT couples marry then divorce, pathetic!!
_Alice_ says – reply to this

64

Re: lopezfanyeah – Death squads??? Jesus fucking christ you people are paranoid kool aid drinkers. UGH, no wonder the world sees us as assbackwards puritans. Go watch something other than Faux News. Education is important. You obviously have none. So sad.
CubanJ says – reply to this

65

Re: _Alice_ – Alice you rock I agree with you!!
jezzie14 says – reply to this

66

@alice the kool aid drinkers often drink at the pool of demoncraps are Oabma supporters. I agree with his decision this time as i agree that everyone should be able to make a decision concerning their loved ones. But everything else Obama stands for it is to the detriment for this country.He is only concerned for his legacy.
luvstotango says – reply to this

67

Re: _Alice_ – We are Kool Aid drinkers. You betcha! We are banding together to save what our magnificent Founding Fathers' gifted down to us.
The greatest country in the world.
Too much blood and sweat and tears in our country's history to let you steal it from us Americans, 'cuz you're not…you would have sided with with King George III of England so we can be enslaved.
-
Regime Change 2012
Patriots Will Unleash The Cracken in November
Don't Tread On Me You Commie Traitors
rircsoad says – reply to this

68

A small victory.

We are definitely on the right track for equality in this country.
NaughtyAngel says – reply to this

69

Impressive!! Kudos
MichLuv says – reply to this

70

Re: kissmyassobama – lol so you're a gay hater and a racist. your comments have no credibility, and you sound so moronic that i'm not even offended by your prejudices.
XOPeaceLoveHappines says – reply to this

71

SMALL victory?! This is a HUGE victory!
I can't even put into words how happy this makes me.
baileylov says – reply to this

72

Major victory, thank you Obama!!
taylor_love says – reply to this

73

Re: luvstotango – You're just retarded. Honestly, shut the fuck up. How about watching something other than Fox News and listening to something other than Rush Limbaugh? I speak as a Republican, by the way. It's important to be a well-rounded person. This decision by Obama is excellent and his making it does not negatively affect NASA or our troops (wtf are you drinking?). I'm just happy that most backwards hicks like you are old and will probably die during my lifetime. Maybe there will be a chance for my kids to live in an accepting society!
piratecookie says – reply to this

74

I have been in EMS/healthcare for years and I have not seen a hospital yet that would not allow a same sex partner access to their loved one, married or not. That goes for hetrosexual couples too, married or not. Most hospitals know that for the good of the patient, it is necessary to allow loved ones in no matter the sexual orientation. Patients need the advocate to make sure that things are getting done and in some cases, that loved one helps with treatment; extra hand, grabbing blankets, noticing mental status changes, etc. Maybe it has been an unspoken rule in all the places I have been, but then again, maybe it is better for the rules to be there just in case. I am all for equality.
piratecookie says – reply to this

75

#3–it is KRAKEN. If you are going to unleash anything, please at least spell it correctly.
piratecookie says – reply to this

76

#67: Kraken, kraken, kraken. I sure hope you already printed up your "Teapartier," invites with the "Patriots unleash the Craken," slogan. Think you could've done a spill chick furst? Bed spillers of the wurld untie!
hotsilk says – reply to this

77

Perez, small victory? Now your "boyfriend" can come and visit your azz when you're laying up in the hosputal sick. What other President has cared enough for the gays to do this? Small I don't think so.
katlynn1026 says – reply to this

78

Yes, I like this one. Why anyone would deny this to another person is beyond me. Change can you feel it?
knowitall says – reply to this

79

Re: luvstotango – You are the most disgusting rightwing piece of trash who posts here. Really can anyone sound more demented and trashy ? I hope all the bad Karma comes to you and the rest of the white trash tea pary filled with homophobic,racist inbred haters. Hope you go broke ,even though I'm sure you never had money,and I would have child services take any kids away from you,you insane fcked up shrew. Hope you ***.
knowitall says – reply to this

80

Re: buck – You must never leave Perez Hilton's blog because you are always the first to post. Always with your backwards ,backwoods comments one must only learn from being raised in an uneducated southern conservative broken home. I'm glad that his thing Obama did has your blessing and keep up all that hate against gays and their rights.
knowitall says – reply to this

81

Re: kissmyassobama – You need to join Ronald Reagan asap.
knowitall says – reply to this

82

ANOTHER GREAT THING OBAMA HAS DONE. HE IS MOVING FROM KICKING OUT GAY PEOPLE FROM THE MILITARY. HOUSING SALES ARE UP. STOCK MARKET IS HIGHEST IN A YEAR AND A HALF. RETAIL SALES UP. UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN. GOING AFTER THE TALIBAN. HEALTH CARE FOR ALL ( CAN YOU GET MORE MORAL OR CHRISTIAN OR JESUS LIKE). HE REALLY IS A GREAT GUY AND NOT GIVEN ENOUGH CREDIT . THE TEA PARTY FILLED WITH INBRED HATERS WHO ROLLED OUT OF THE TRAILER PARK WAS FORMED A WEEK AFTER HIS ELECTION. THEY DIDN'T LIKE THAT A BLACK MAN WHO ELECTED OR A DEMOCRAT. THEY ARE DISGUSTING. OBAMA AND DEMOCRATS PREVAIL FOR THE GOOD OF THE COUNTRY.
luvstotango says – reply to this

83

Re: knowitall – Folks, knowitall is a perfect example that we Teapartiers must go to the root of Liberalism to defeat them and outlaw doing The Dirty Sanchez. The shit just goes straight to their brains and you end up with a commited Commie.
-
knowitall, tell me, what makes you get so wet, about government control?
luvstotango says – reply to this

84

For the people that don't know what a Dirty Sanchez is…
the shit goes into the mouth from another person or animal, up to the brain and back out the mouth.
We can now replace the computer term GIGO (Garbage In Garbage Out) with SISO (Shit In Shit Out)
-
They're happy Americans are going broke. It's why I like to 'chum the waters', so they can reveal their true agenda for all to see.
-
They can sure dish it out and want us polite and quiet. Those days are over!
White Chick says – reply to this

85

Communist goal # 26: Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy." And for those of you who have never seen the goals please google "communist goals". All of us oldsters have been watching this happen for 50 years and we are appalled at the ignorance in this country.
IMB916 says – reply to this

86

Yes!!! Thankyou Obama, you're awesome
SnowBoarder4LIFE says – reply to this

87

I don't support Obama or gay marriage but I do believe that this is a great thing. I always thought when I am on my death dead I would need the people closet to me there. This shouldn't be a democrat or republican issue. This is just being moral and christain.
@v@ says – reply to this

88

Re: luvstotango – How is he kicking sand in your face? He's wiped the sand out of the faces of gays whose partner is sick in hospital or dying to finally, finally enable them to hold their hand as they leave this world, rather than standing twenty feet away outside the room they're barred from while their life partner dies alone.
SnowBoarder4LIFE says – reply to this

89

Re: knowitall – See you make all those valid points then end your statement with venom and hate, which, basically, discredits everything you said.
@v@ says – reply to this

90

Re: luvstotango – You're off on this one, tango. You seem to be operating with only a selected part of the total picture. Do more research.
raven4 says – reply to this

91

that's something they always had…
Cattac says – reply to this

92

Anyone that has a problem with this is a douchebag. There are no exceptions.
daleandersen says – reply to this

93

Oh great! The tool that gave me AIDS gets to visit me…
frenchiegirl says – reply to this

94

It is hard to believe that in a country that promotes freedom and democracy around the world as their international dogma denies equal rights to its own citizens. I was not aware of this hateful, ignorant, cruel policy. The new laws should apply to all hospitals, not just those receiving government funding. How dare they turn away someone's loved ones when they are suffering and deprive them of their basic family rights!
HeartsContent says – reply to this

95

**clap** Nice job. I cannot believe this wasn't already allowed though.

And why do ppl keep saying he's hot. NO HE'S NOT!
knowitall says – reply to this

96

Re: luvstotango – I must lower myself and respond again to trash like you. You ask me why I like government control and yet you are attacking Obama when he wants to ease government control and let gay people live freely and visist their loved ones. What cracks me up is that all the white trash in the republican party or the tea party fringe (same group) always cry about freedom but freedom to this trash is freedom to skirt gun laws and freedom to hate and pass or keep hateful legislation against fellow tax paying americans. You are basically the taliban but you package yourself with bs freedom slogans. There is nothing freedom loving about all the garbage on the right they just don't want taxes but want all the services. There certainly isn't one moral angle to republicans or else like most legitmimate religous leaders they would embrace the Obama health plan. You people disgust me on every level.
knowitall says – reply to this

97

Re: daleandersen – Spoken like a neo-nazi republican scumbag. Good job.
Clodius says – reply to this

98

This is a total non-issue. All you or anybody else has to do is fill out an "advanced directives for health care form." You can authorize the man in the moon to visit you if you want. You can authorize Miley Cyrus to make your medical decisions if you want. This is a non-issue for all but the willfully ignorant. The hospital ASKS you if you have advanced directive BEFORE you are admitted. I'm a bit more concerned about Obama stepping in on something that is not his concern as president. "Federal dollars do not mean federal control." Remember that? (No. Of course you don't. Since you don't read history books.)
Makena808 says – reply to this

99

I'm straight and even excited to learn this new!!!!!!!! We are moving forward in the right direction!!!!!!!!!! Yeah to everyone around the world in ALL communities!!!!!!!!!
@v@ says – reply to this

100

Re: Clodius – This move increases freedom. It doesn't take it away from anyone. Up is not down. Welcome to the rest of the world.