Edit: Well now I’m not so excited. I bothered to read the memo, and well it pretty much sucks.
http://a.abcnews.com/images/Politics/2010rightspatients.mem.final.rel.pdf
Its not that the memo is bad, its just that it doesn’t do much. All it says is that a hospital can’t discriminate based upon sexual orientation and that same sex partners that have legal documents giving them the right visitation and consultation on health matters. But in reality, if you have those legal documents you shouldn’t ever be denied access. Thats not to say it doesn’t happen, because it does but this probably won’t make bigoted or ignorant hospital workers any less bigoted or ignorant.
What this memo does not do, is give all same sex partners the power of attorney. Unfortunately, same sex partners that do not take the time and do not spend the money to get the legal documents can still be denied access.
As such, I’ll put this next to Obamas other token efforts to help the Gay and Lesbian community, such as the inclusive easter egg hunt and the Hate Crime legislation.
Meanwhile, he has ‘comissioned’ another study on DADT a whopping 60 years after the first one. I wonder how many more dozens of studies will be needed to show that gay and lesbian soldiers don’t hurt military readiness.
Edit again:
I tried to look into this a little deeper. One thing I’m not sure of if there are states that outright deny same sex couples the right to seek the legal forms. I don’t think this is the case. I know states governors have vetoed legislation that would guarantee the right to visitation, medical decisions ,and funeral arrangements but I’m under the impression its possible to ensure that one has these ‘rights’ through proper legal documentation.
Heres an interesting link as well on this subject.
