Obama orders LGBT visitation rights

CNN is reporting that President Barack Obama has told the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a rule that would not allow hospitals to deny visitation privileges to gay and lesbian partners.  According to the report:

President Obama signed a memo on Thursday that would require hospitals to allow gays and lesbians to have non-family visitors.  In the memo the president noted that gay and lesbian Americans are "uniquely affected" by the relatives-only policy at hospitals.

In the memo scheduled to be released to the public on Friday morning, the president continues: "There are few moments in our lives that call for greater compassion and companionship than when a loved one is admitted to the hospital. ... Yet every day, all across America, patients are denied the kindnesses and caring of a loved one at their sides."

The new rule will affect any hospital receiving Medicare or Medicaid funding.

For years gay-rights advocates have argued against the family-only policy of hospitals that unfairly discriminates against same-sex couples.

This is good news for LGBT couples.