Washington Adventist denied same-sex visitation; hospital apologizes

[MountainLaurel]

How could one person stop a family member from visiting the patient? Surely others had to have been involved.

A Takoma Park woman has filed complaints with federal health authorities and the main hospital accreditation commission after staff at Washington Adventist Hospital denied her permission to visit her same-sex partner, who was taken there after suffering a seizure.

Such a denial would violate federal hospital visitation regulations and Maryland law. The Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights advocacy group, called on the hospital Thursday to review its visitation policies.

snip

In a statement Thursday, the hospital said the incident was the result of poor communication and not a case of discrimination.

Wilderotter’s legal spouse and partner of 11 years, Linda Cole, arrived at the hospital and identified herself as Wilderotter’s partner but wasn’t recognized as family. “Nobody would let her back,” Wilderotter said.

Cole wasn’t allowed to visit until Wilderotter’s sister arrived, Wilderotter said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/washington-adventist-denied-same-sex-visitation-hospital-apologizes/2012/01/19/gIQAvngQCQ_story.html

[William769]

1. "poor communication"

Is that what they are calling it these days?

[Fearless]

2. Fuck apologies...

Fix the problem so that it NEVER happens again.

[beyurslf]

3. She identified herself as the woman's partner.... where was the poor communication?

Sounds like bigotry to me.

[joeybee12]

4. The only way around this is marriage equality...

Can you imagine a man wanting to see his wife and being denied? I bet all he'd have to do is say he's her husband, they wouldn't even ask for id.