Law May Change for Domestic Partners Seeking Hospital Visitation Rights

Good news for couples in domestic partnerships: the Obama administration is in the final stages of approving new rules regarding hospital visitations. If their plan goes into effect, hospitals that accept Medicare and Medicaid must grant visitation rights to same-sex partners. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, has championed the bill that will prevent hospital staff from denying visitation for non-clinical reasons.

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius stated in a public announcement that "today's rules help give 'full and equal' rights to all of us to choose whom we want by our bedside when we are sick."

These rules will also grant visitation rights to widows and widowers who would previously be denied the right for friends or companions to visit them. Also, some religious groups who would like to designate someone other than a family member to make medical decisions will be allowed to should the legislation pass.

Have questions about your domestic partnership? Find a local family law attorney who can provide you with reliable answers.