President directs HHS to issue new rules regarding hospital visits and health care directives

President Obama has issued a Presidential memorandum tothe Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) entitled “Respecting theRights of Hospital Patients to Receive Visitors and to Designate SurrogateDecision Makers for Medical Emergencies.” The memorandum ensures that patients can receive compassionate care andequal treatment during their hospital stays regardless of whether the visitorsare legally related to the patient, which includes same-sex partners and widowsand widowers with no children.  Pleaseread the Presidential memorandum at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-memorandum-hospital-visitation