Today being July 1 sees all the bills passed in the last General Assembly that were signed by Governor Kaine go into effect. Among them is the Hospital Visitation law patroned by one of my favorite legislators, Delegate David Englin.
From the Equality Virginia press release...
On Sunday July 1, 2007, members of our community who are ill or injured will be able to rest a little more comfortably knowing that they will have their loved ones beside them if they have to go into a hospital. That's the day legislation that allows all Virginians the right to decide who can visit them in the hospital goes into effect.
The bill, HB 2730, patroned by Del. David Englin (D-Alexandria) passed unanimously in the 2007 General Assembly session and was signed into law by Governor Tim Kaine. It requires that every licensed hospital in Virginia have a visitation policy that allows each and every patient to decide who can visit them during a hospital stay.
"This new law will provide some measure of protection for gay and lesbian Virginians during already difficult medical situations, bringing us one small step closer to the day when every Virginian is treated fairly and with equal dignity and respect," said Del. David Englin. "I've been moved by the number of people who have contacted me with their own stories of how a law like this would have made a difference to them or a loved one. While hospitals rarely have formal policies denying visitation, there have been far too many cases in Virginia where parents refuse to let their gay son or daughter's partner visit, or where the adult children of a divorced or widowed patient intervene with hospital staff to prevent the patient's new significant other from visiting," he continued.
The law will prevent those kinds of tragedies in the future by requiring hospitals to let the patient -- and only the patient -- have the final say," finished Englin.
Equality Virginia volunteers will be conducting outreach to their local health providers in the coming weeks to properly educate them on the new policy and help to make sure it is properly implemented.
"As we work to limit the impact the so-called "marriage amendment" will have on our families, this bill helps to define a patient's rights in determining who is allowed to visit them," said Dyana Mason, Equality Virginia's Executive Director. "We applaud Del. Englin, the General Assembly and thank Governor Kaine for supporting this legislation."
This is good work, David and Dyana! Let's keep the faith. Unfortunately, there is a lot of work still ahead as far as restoring and/or instituting fair and equitable laws governing all Virginians.
Studies also show that happy people heal faster than sad people. From strictly a medical position - wouldn't it be smarter that people are as happy as they can be when they are in recovery? Contact with our (chosen) friends and family would surely help make us more happy, and heal faster.