Obama extends civil rights in hospitals

* Laura Hutchinson

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – President Barack Obama is taking what is being called a major step toward fairness for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.

Hospitals across the country will soon be forced to start doing what many hospitals here in Western Massachusetts are already doing.

President Barack Obama is calling on all hospitals that receive Medicare and Medicaid payments to grant all its patients the right to visit with loved ones, even if that means their same-sex partner.

“Why not? I don’t think they should be any different than the rest of us, we’re all equal,” said Angela Scarnici, West Springfield.

He’s also requiring they allow their partners be the patients’ health consultants at those critical moments if they choose.

Spokespersons for both Baystate Medical Center and Holyoke Hospital say they agree with the President’s stance on this issue which is why they’ve been doing it all along.

The directors of guest services at Baystate Medical Center, Nancy Robinson, says their only restrictions are if there are too many visitors or legal or health reasons why one shouldn’t be allowed in.

Other than that – it comes down to the happier the patient, the healthier.

“Getting their opinions on who is important to their care will put them in a better frame of mind as well,” Robinson said.

Some people told 22News they’re surprised the President took this step.

“It shows he’s involved on the local, personal level – he’s so busy you’d think he wouldn’t have time to be in touch with the people and it shows he is,” said Juanita Cruz-Deleon.

Obama has asked his health and human services secretary to start drafting the new rules.