HEALING HEARTS

U.S. Dept. Of Health Tells Hospitals To Allow Same-Sex Visitors… OR ELSE

Last April the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) told all hospitals participating in Medicare and Medicaid to extend hospital visitation rights and medical power of attorney to same-sex partners.

Yesterday HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius clarified that all patients can now choose their visitors “regardless of whether the visitor is a family member, a spouse, a domestic partner, or another type of visitor.” Moreover, if a hospital decides not to comply with the new rule, the HHS has “the power to terminate a Medicare provider agreement.” Oh snap!

What if our visitors are Jedis or armed Stormtroopers? Can we give them power of attorney too?

Image via US Army Africa

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