New regulations went into effect today that prohibit discrimination
in hospital visitation based on sexual orientation. The new rules
allow patients or their representative to designate who may or may
not visit them in the hospital. Until now, many same-sex couples
and LGBT people with children were denied access to loved ones in
the hospital because of discriminatory policies that neglected to
recognize our families. From now on, hospitals accepting federal
funds through Medicare or Medicaid cannot prevent visitation on the
basis of sexual orientation. Family Equality Council thanks
President Obama for issuing the directive that initiated these
changes and Secretary Sebelius for her leadership on this issue.
in hospital visitation based on sexual orientation. The new rules
allow patients or their representative to designate who may or may
not visit them in the hospital. Until now, many same-sex couples
and LGBT people with children were denied access to loved ones in
the hospital because of discriminatory policies that neglected to
recognize our families. From now on, hospitals accepting federal
funds through Medicare or Medicaid cannot prevent visitation on the
basis of sexual orientation. Family Equality Council thanks
President Obama for issuing the directive that initiated these
changes and Secretary Sebelius for her leadership on this issue.