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Roger Gorley believes he has been discriminated against by the Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Mo., when, on the bequest of his partner’s family member, he was asked to leave the hospital. The hospital apparently did not recognize that though they were both men, he was the patient’s husband and also shared power of attorney and made medical decisions for his partner. The nurse didn’t bother to look up such status, and instead called for security to escort him out, handcuffed, further issuing a restraining order after his arrest on Tuesday.
“I was not recognized as being the husband, I wasn’t recognized as being the partner,” he told WDAF. “She didn’t even bother to look it up, to check in on it.”
The hospital later denied they discriminated against him based on his sexual orientation, but said “This as an issue of disruptive and belligerent behavior by the visitor that affected patient care.” And the hospital also denies having filed a restraining order against Gorley.
If that is the case, then they may be safe; otherwise, policy for all hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid payments under President Barack Obama’s orders must allow patients to determine visitation rights and make medical decisions. Under these same orders, gay and lesbian partners must not be disallowed these rights.
