A Missouri man is under arrest for refusing to leave his husband’s hospital bedside.
According to WDAF, Roger Gorley went to visit his partner, Allen, at Research Medical Center April 9. When Gorley arrived, a member of Allen’s family asked him to leave.
Gorley refused, so hospital security forcibly removed him and put him in handcuffs, WDAF reported.
Missouri does not recognize same sex marriage, but Gorley said he and Allen have been in a civil union for five years, share joint power of attorney and make medical decisions for each other.
Gorley told WDAF that a nurse didn’t even bother to check into their legal ties.
Research Medical Center released a statement:
We believe involving the family is an important part of the patient care process. And, the patient`s needs are always our first priority. When anyone becomes disruptive to providing the necessary patient care, we involve our security team to help calm the situation and to protect our patients and staff. If the situation continues to escalate, we have no choice but to request police assistance.
According to WDAF, Gorley is fighting a restraining order issued against him after his arrest. As of presstime, Allen is still in the hospital and the restraining order means Gorley is still unable to visit him.
President Obama issued a mandate in 2010 that requires any hospital that receives Medicare of Medicaid funding to extend visitation to the partners of LGBTs and respect patients’ choices about who they want to make critical healtcare decisions. Research Medical Center’s website has an extensive Patient Financial Center explaining Medicare and Medicaid coverage, cost and eligibility.
