President Obama sent a memo yesterday to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius ordering her to issue rules granting hospital visitation rights to same-sex partners.

p>Michael B. Keegan, President of People For the American Way, issued the following statement:

“I commend President Obama for taking this critical step towards equality for all American citizens. Current rules preventing gay and lesbian hospital patients from seeing their loved ones in times of need are unconscionable, and the President has done the ethical, compassionate thing in ordering them to be reversed.

“This step towards full equality is an important one, but we have long way left to go. We look forward to working with the White House to ensure that all Americans can marry, adopt children, provide for their loved ones, and enjoy the full rights of citizens.”