Statement by Wade Henderson on Obama’s Presidential Memorandum on the Rights of Hospital Patients

“President Obama’s memorandum to Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius on the rights of hospital patients is an act of profound decency and an important step in our nation’s noble advance of human rights for all Americans.

No American should be denied the right to have the person they choose to be by their side when they are ill. Unfortunately, too many of our LGBT brothers and sisters have not been afforded this basic right.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights believes all Americans should have access to quality health care. We also believe the essential dignity of all people should be respected and that no one should suffer discrimination, especially when they are ill and seeking critical care.

We look forward to the forthcoming HHS regulations that will end this practice of discrimination in every American hospital.”