it's about fucking time
Today the new federal guidelines on hospital visitation go in to effect, which means that no one can be legally denied access to even unconscious loved ones based on the genders or legal status of the relationship. At least in any hospital that received federal funds, which is most, if not all, of them.
They specifically state that no hospital or worker may use the 'conscience clause' to deny someone visitation based on gender or legal status. The fact that this has to be laid out at all makes me grind my teeth; I mean, really, there are people who's excuse for a conscience would compel them to deny a visit to a sick or dying person, from someone they love and who loves them, on any basis whatsoever? Really? And they aren't considered psychopaths?
Anyway, this should make that less likely, and make the world a marginally better place.
They specifically state that no hospital or worker may use the 'conscience clause' to deny someone visitation based on gender or legal status. The fact that this has to be laid out at all makes me grind my teeth; I mean, really, there are people who's excuse for a conscience would compel them to deny a visit to a sick or dying person, from someone they love and who loves them, on any basis whatsoever? Really? And they aren't considered psychopaths?
Anyway, this should make that less likely, and make the world a marginally better place.