General

Obama: ailing gays and lesbians deserve loved ones at their sides

U.S. hospitals must allow same-sex visiting rights

Barack Obama has issued a new order to state-funded hospitals: they must grant complete visiting rights to same-sex partners. On Thursday night, hours after ordering officials to issue the new regulations, Obama called Florida resident Janice Langbehn to say that he had been motivated, in part, by her story. In 2007, when Langbehn’s partner Lisa Pond was hospitalized with a fatal brain aneurysm, Langbehn was denied visiting rights (along with the four children she had adopted with Pond); Pond later died alone. The President’s orders will also allow gays and lesbians to make medical decisions for their partners. Explained Obama: “Every day, all across America, patients are denied the kindness and caring of a loved one at their sides.”

New York Times

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