Obama enforces visitation rights of same sex partners

By Candy Lashkari

President Obama passed a memo on Thursday while at a fundraiser in Miami which prohibits hospitals from discriminating against gay and lesbian couples in extending visitation rights. The decision seems to be inspired by the publicity given to the Lisa Pond and Janice Langbehn case. The hospital refused to allow Lisa Pond the visitation of Janice Langbehn and their children at her death bed.

Ms Pond had a fatal brain aneurysum and Ms Langbehn and their children were denied visiting rights by the Florida hospital for eight hours, even though Ms Langbehn had a power of attorney. After the memo was signed President Obama personally called Ms Langbehn to let her know that it was done, and that he hoped that it would prevent her story from repeating itself.

Joe Solmonese who is the president of Human Rights Campaign, the largest U.S. gay rights group applauded the effort of the President to increase the visitation and decision making rights of same sex partners. "No one should experience what befell the Pond-Langbehn family, and the president's action today will help ensure that the indignities Janice and her children faced do not happen to another family," Solmonese said.

The memo asks the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure that the government funded hospitals which participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs respect the right of the patient to designate who may visit them while admitted in the hospital. "It should be made clear that designated visitors ... should enjoy visitation privileges that are no more restrictive than those that immediate family members enjoy," read the memo.

David Smith, a Human Rights Campaign spokesman had this to say about the action, “We see this as part of our ongoing effort to encourage the administration to take action where it has the authority to act. We've been working and pressing the administration on our legislative agenda. That work continues.”

President Obama has been following up on his campaign agenda of improving the rights of LGBT minorities. While he was supported for his campaign promises the prominent gay and lesbian rights activists have been pushing him for his “feet dragging” over various administrative issues.

Obama held the first Gay Pride Day celebration at the White House and has also passed the hate crime legislation. There is also a motion for repealing the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy for gays in the armed forces. The Gay activists have also been rooting for recognizing same sex marriages to ease out the stress associated with them. It remains to be seen what President Obama will do about that issue.