www.ambiente.us MAY | MAYO 2010
Obama's memo gives visitation rights, but could you be left
out?
by Joe Solmonese, HRC president
Last week, President Obama issued an historic memorandum to help ensure equal
access to hospital visits and decision-making rights for same-sex couples.
It's a critical step forward for the rights of same-sex couples, one we've been working
on with the White House for the past year.
The Department of Health and Human Services must issue regulations implementing
the President's directive, and those won't go into effect for at least several months. If
you're part of a same-sex couple and you want to make the most of those forthcoming
protections and protect your family as much as possible right now – you must have the
proper legal documentation in place.
So what documents do you need exactly? You'll need visitation forms to make sure
your family and friends can visit you, as well as a health care proxy and living will to
ensure that those who know you the best can make medical decisions on your behalf
in an emergency.
You can find out more and download sample forms at:
http://www.hrc.org/issues/protect-your-visitation-and-decision-
making-rights.htm
Obama's memo gives visitation rights, but could you be left
out?
by Joe Solmonese, HRC president
Last week, President Obama issued an historic memorandum to help ensure equal
access to hospital visits and decision-making rights for same-sex couples.
It's a critical step forward for the rights of same-sex couples, one we've been working
on with the White House for the past year.
The Department of Health and Human Services must issue regulations implementing
the President's directive, and those won't go into effect for at least several months. If
you're part of a same-sex couple and you want to make the most of those forthcoming
protections and protect your family as much as possible right now – you must have the
proper legal documentation in place.
So what documents do you need exactly? You'll need visitation forms to make sure
your family and friends can visit you, as well as a health care proxy and living will to
ensure that those who know you the best can make medical decisions on your behalf
in an emergency.
You can find out more and download sample forms at:
http://www.hrc.org/issues/protect-your-visitation-and-decision-
making-rights.htm
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This is also a good time to let you know about two other great resources from HRC.
The first is the Healthcare Equality Index, our groundbreaking nationwide report on
healthcare facilities' policies around lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. This
index was a key resource in our efforts with the White House on this memorandum – and you
can use it to find out the policies of your nearest hospital. The next edition of the Healthcare
Equality Index is due to be released in early June.
The second is a very useful list of legal documents to help you protect your family – until
same-sex couples are granted the same rights as all couples, everywhere.
And one last thing! Whether or not you're in a same-sex relationship, please, please, share
this information on Facebook and Twitter today.
No one else should find themselves shut out of a loved one's hospital room.
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source
The first is the Healthcare Equality Index, our groundbreaking nationwide report on
healthcare facilities' policies around lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. This
index was a key resource in our efforts with the White House on this memorandum – and you
can use it to find out the policies of your nearest hospital. The next edition of the Healthcare
Equality Index is due to be released in early June.
The second is a very useful list of legal documents to help you protect your family – until
same-sex couples are granted the same rights as all couples, everywhere.
And one last thing! Whether or not you're in a same-sex relationship, please, please, share
this information on Facebook and Twitter today.
No one else should find themselves shut out of a loved one's hospital room.
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source