Even though The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently told all U.S. hospitals receiving tax aid to allow same-sex visitors to see patients, the Tennessean reports that the Rolling Hills Hospital in Franklin, Tennessee still forbade Val Burke from seeing her partner in the residential psychiatric unit; which got us wondering—would your local hospital do the same?
Rolling Hills Chief Executive Officer Richard Bangert called Burke’s case “human error”—which is a familiar excuse for anti-LGBT behavior—and met with his staff to make sure everyone knows not to discriminate against ‘mos. He will also issue a personal apology to Burke, adding, “I take it very personally. This is not representative of the hospital.”
But in the meanwhile, the Human Rights Campaign still urges LGBTs to carry around health-care directives and visitation authorization forms all at times in case of any medical emergency, because this sort of thing is bound to happen again.
Also make sure to wear clean underpants, lest you embarrass your mother.
How about we take this to the next level?
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Image via José Goulão
the crustybastard
That’s not “begging the question.” That’s “raising the issue.”
The hospital employee who refused to allow the partner to visit was “begging the question”; to wit, “same-sex relationships aren’t valid, so I have no obligation to allow the visit.” The employee presumes the logical validity of the premise of his or her argument (same-sex relationships aren’t valid) in order to make the rest of the fallacious argument (so deserve no recognition.)
You don’t ever want to beg the question.
Jose
In 2010 my husband was hospitalized twice. I had no problem visiting or staying the night. This was at a Catholic affiliated hospital.
A shame others are having difficulties visiting their same-sex spouses or partner. I know my husband would have fought with the hospital for the visitation right had they attempted to not allow me to visit.
Hyhybt
@Jose: …if he was well enough to do so, and knew that they were stopping you.
chandrabose
Thanks for striking the sleepy minds!This article has clarified my doubts!
Authorization Forms
chandrabose
Thanks for striking the sleepy minds!.This article has clarified my doubts!
Authorization Forms