Obama issues new policy allowing gays more freedom in medical visits

The White House has issued an order to the Department of Health and Human Services that would stop hospitals from being able to deny same-sex partners visitation rights. The new rule changes a policy that has long wrangled gay rights groups, who say equal visitation rights are long-overdue. One case, where a Miami woman was denied visitation for more than eight hours to her partner, reportedly moved the president in his decision.

Leslie Gabel-Brecht is the director of education and public affairs for Lambda Legal, a gay advocacy group. David Smith is vice president of policy for Human Rights Campaign, which worked with the White House on the memo.