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April 16, 2010

US Extends Healthcare Rights to Partners of Gay Patients
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President Obama has ordered hospitals to end discrimination in
visitation and decision rights for gay patients and their partners.
Under the new rules, gay patients will receive the same rights as
straight patients in terms of who can visit them and make medical
decisions on their behalf. Many hospitals have long barred visitors not
related by blood or marriage and ignored efforts to grant same-sex
partners a role in making medical decisions. The order covers any
hospital that receives Medicare or Medicaid funding.



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