Gay Marriage: Health Coverage and Deathbed Decisions

[PJD1987]

I’m currently trying to defend the Catholic position on Homosexual “Marriage” with a friend of mine and he brought up this issue, and I’ll quote him:

“Ok so answer me this, why is it that when a persons “partner“ is on their deathbed in the hospital they cant make decisions because they are not their legal spouse, or what about health coverage?”

I have no clue how to answer this without sounding callous. I did however manage to say this, “For starters, your focus is on a very narrow, personal, and individual situation whereas the Catholic Church position is broad and encompasses a more societal perspective that effect all of humanity…”

Help on this topic would be appreciated!

 

[GratefulFred]

I am 100% against extending the term “marriage” to gay unions. An apple and a pear are fruits. If you ask for a fruit, wanting an apple, and someone gives you peach, you have confusion and disappointment.

That said, anyone 18 and older can make legal contracts. Over 18, anyone can associate with anyone they choose and give anyone a Power of Attorney to speak for them.

That said, there is a wise weight toward natural family members having priority. We are not told of unscrupulous interlopers that connive to step ahead of family. I think Anna Nicole Smith is a good example. So laws were established to prevent that.

Now we have gay rights and there is a push to overturn those long standing laws to allow an adult gay to be treated as a family member regardless of what the family thinks. Emotions may run hot on this when someone is seriously ill and in danger of dying.

Laws on these matters vary from state to state.

 

[PJD1987]

I should have elaborated a bit more I think; it has to do with the State of Rhode Island enacting a civil unions bill that gives same-sex couples all the rights of spouses. The article is here: usccb.org/comm/archives/2011/11-134.shtml. Here is another article from the Providence Journal about its enactment: newsblog.projo.com/2011/07/chafee-signs-civil-unions-legi-1.html

I’m just very confused as to what to say when people say things like, “Why can’t someone visit their partner on their deathbed in the hospital?” without sounding completely heartless, yet also defending the Catholic Church stance. I don’t know, to me its very simple yet very complex at the same time, my brain hurts when I think about it too much

 

[1ke]

Ok so answer me this, why is it that when a persons “partner“ is on their deathbed in the hospital they cant make decisions because they are not their legal spouse, or what about health coverage?"

It’s a non-issue.

One need not be a spouse to be a power of attorney for health care decisions. You can designate anyone to be a power of attorney, including non-relatives.

 

[raaucoin]

QUOTE=1ke;8065018]It’s a non-issue.

One need not be a spouse to be a power of attorney for health care decisions. You can designate anyone to be a power of attorney, including non-relatives.