http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/04/15/hospital.gay.visitation/index.html?hpt=T1
Will this be controversial? Does anyone think gays and lesbians should NOT be allowed to visit their partners in the hospital?
Man, you guys just over simplify the shit out of everything.
First, let me say that I agree with the notion that Gays, like others ought to be treated the same as any significant other.
The problem is that Obama is using Medicaid dollars to strong arm hospitals into doing as he wishes and that is a monumental problem. He is an elected official, not a King.
But that is what happens when the Government controls things. The guy who controls the money calls the shots - that's Communism.
As far as the actual issues of visitation and making calls for an incapacitated loved one, there are proper legal avenues for this. One can file a durable power of attorney assigning anyone they want to make medical decisions on your behalf in the event you can not. Everyone ought to have one.
As far as hospital policy on who can stay outside of visitation hours, that has to do with next of kin and hospital policy. In general, a spouse, parent, adult child, sibling or guardian would be allowed. Your friends might have to come during visiting hours.
Who you claim as your next of kin is probably something you could also specify in your DPOA or other legal document. A gay partner could probably just bring it with them - problem solved.
Anyway, hospitals need something to go on with regard to next of kin. They can't just let someone's partner of 2 weeks decide to pull the plug when the family says no.
So all in all, this is kind of a BS, smoke and mirrors non-issue. I am however very concerned with the way Obama seems to think he is free to issue edicts and bills of attainder like he is a dictator. Remember his firing of the GM CEO. WTF was that? This is more of the same. It is a total violation of the separation of powers - but hey, when you control health care you get to call the shots. Like I said, that's how Communism works.
