Hospital Visitation Regulations Go Into Effect Today

[White Eagle]

Mark one up for US. That's us, we , gays......

The Dept of Health and Human Services has a pdf about this.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/01/18/hospital-visitation-regulations-go-effect-today

With those words on April 15, 2010 President Obama directed HHS Secretary Sebelius to initiate rulemaking to ensure that hospitals that participate in Medicare and Medicaid respect the rights of patients to designate visitors. The President further advised that the rule should ensure that participating hospitals may not deny visitation privileges based on factors including sexual orientation or gender identity.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/01/18/hospital-visitation-regulations-go-effect-today

Hospital Visitation Regulations Go Into Effect Today
Posted by Brian Bond on January 18, 2011 at 05:41 PM EST

"There are few moments in our lives that call for greater compassion and companionship than when a loved one is admitted to the hospital. In these hours of need and moments of pain and anxiety, all of us would hope to have a hand to hold, a shoulder on which to lean – a loved one to be there for us, as we would be there for them."

With those words on April 15, 2010 President Obama directed HHS Secretary Sebelius to initiate rulemaking to ensure that hospitals that participate in Medicare and Medicaid respect the rights of patients to designate visitors. The President further advised that the rule should ensure that participating hospitals may not deny visitation privileges based on factors including sexual orientation or gender identity.

Today the new Hospital Visitation Regulations go into effect.

It also says in there that whoever is in the hospital can name their partner/domestic or otherwise, to make medical decisions, instead of a family member or opposite sec spouse.
So it looks like I don't need that medical power of attorney.

 

[Kulindahr]

Mark one up for US. That's us, we , gays......

So it looks like I don't need that medical power of attorney.

You still might -- what happens if the patient is unconscious and can't designate visitors?

 

[White Eagle]

He'd have to tell em before he went into the coma. ha

 

[White Eagle]

Kuli, I found this in another article:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2011/01/hospital_visitation_rights_for.html

Posted at 9:30 AM ET, 01/19/2011
Hospital visitation rights for same-sex partners now required by federal rules
By Ed O'Keefe

Nearly all hospitals this week are extending visitation rights to the partners of gay men and lesbians under new federal rules that officially enact a key piece of the Obama administration's continuing efforts to expand the rights of gay Americans.

The federal regulations, which apply to hospitals receiving Medicaid and Medicare funding, state that health-care institutions may not prohibit visitation rights based on sexual orientation. In the past, hospital often barred visitors not related to an incapacitated patient by blood or marriage. Gay rights groups also complained that many hospitals didn't allow same-sex partners to designate each other as someone eligible to make major medical decisions for them if they are injured or seriously ill.

We'd have to settle that with the Hosp beforehand, But yeah, how do we know beforehand. There are other articles that may indicate what to do. Will look around.

 

[rareboy]

I would always recommend a medical power of attorney for everyone.

 

[White Eagle]

And, I don't know what kind of problems would arise here in Texas, as Texas doesn't recognize domestic partners.
It looks like a loop hole for the hosps.

 

[White Eagle]

I would always recommend a medical power of attorney for everyone.

True, that would be the answer. Gotta do that soon as my partner has had 5 congestive heart failures so far.

 

[White Eagle]

Also:

http://www.alternet.org/newsandview...tion_rights_with_new_federal_rule/#paragraph3

Same-Sex Partners Finally Get Hospital Visitation Rights With New Federal Rule


While all the attention was on the Republicans' ridiculous political theater yesterday, the White House quietly announced a great piece of news for same-sex couples: federal regulations have gone into effect mandating that "hospitals that participate in Medicare and Medicaid....may not deny visitation privileges based on factors including sexual orientation or gender identity."

It's about damn time. It is downright embarrassing that until now hospitals could -- and did -- keep anyone not related to a patient by blood or marriage from visiting his or her loved ones. Under the new rules, which were signed by President Obama in April, hospitals will also be required to honor patients' wishes about who will make medical decisions for them if they are gravely ill. If hospitals do not comply, they risk losing their Medicare and Medicaid payments -- major sources of funding for many of the nation's hospitals. The Human Rights Campaign notes that the rules will therefore apply to "virtually every hospital in the country."

 

[White Eagle]

Well, I asked my partner the last time he was in the hosp was about 4 weeks ago. They told him he could name whoever he wanted for visitations. They also had a form for him to sign naming who he wanted to make medical decisions. So they are already using the rules of the new law. He said the form is like a medical power of attorney, but he didn't sign it. I will make him the next time he goes there , for sure!!!! He didn't tell me about that!!!

 

[Kulindahr]

Well, I asked my partner the last time he was in the hosp was about 4 weeks ago. They told him he could name whoever he wanted for visitations. They also had a form for him to sign naming who he wanted to make medical decisions. So they are already using the rules of the new law. He said the form is like a medical power of attorney, but he didn't sign it. I will make him the next time he goes there , for sure!!!! He didn't tell me about that!!!

Here's one place that the whole thing about making medical records 'portable' would be helpful: those records could contain statements of who is designated to visit, make decisions, bring flowers, or get shoved back in the elevator as unwanted.

 

[White Eagle]

Here's one place that the whole thing about making medical records 'portable' would be helpful: those records could contain statements of who is designated to visit, make decisions, bring flowers, or get shoved back in the elevator as unwanted.

That would be helpful.
I could think of some of that last part about the elevator. His sister comes to mind.

 

[Kulindahr]

That would be helpful.
I could think of some of that last part about the elevator. His sister comes to mind.

I can think of a few, too -- like the brother who led the family walk-out my first Christmas out.

 

[Zu-Mendel]

I can think of a few, too -- like the brother who led the family walk-out my first Christmas out.

I must say, regardless of any petty differences of opinion I might have with anybody on this site, **** like that shouldn't happen to anybody.

Regardless of the circumstances that led to it, this is an important day for gay rights and equality.

 

[White Eagle]

I must say, regardless of any petty differences of opinion I might have with anybody on this site, **** like that shouldn't happen to anybody.

Regardless of the circumstances that led to it, this is an important day for gay rights and equality.

What you say is very true, but what about a brother who hasn't talked to you for 45years because I wouldn't stay in San Antonio to help him run a horse farm.