The North Carolina legislature and governor agree that hospital patients and long-term care residents should be allowed visitors even in a pandemic.
Two bills guaranteeing visitation for hospital patients and long-term care residents that passed the state House and Senate without a single nay vote were recently signed by Gov. Roy Cooper, making them law.
An all-to-frequent horror story heard during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic was of people dying in long term care facilities and hospitals all alone without the benefit of family members or clergy present.
The legislature and Cooper were unanimous in their belief that this was wrong and that laws needed to be put in place to make certain that it didn’t happen in the future.
Two bills passed the legislature and were signed by Cooper to ensure that, even during an emergency, patients and those in long term care facilities can have visits from family and clergy.
House Bill 351, known as “Clifford’s Law,” ensures that nursing home and long-term care residents are allowed a visitor at least twice a month during declared disasters and emergencies.
Rep. Jimmy Dixon (R-Duplin), the primary sponsor of the bill, said in a press release, “We have all heard the stories or experienced loved ones in long-term care who have suffered immensely due to isolation because of COVID-19 visitation restrictions. Clifford’s Law will ensure families have access to their loved ones, which is vital to the mental health and well-being of long-term care residents.”
“Jeff Rieg Law,” more formally House Bill 447, gives patients the right to have a clergy member visit them in the hospital.
Rep. Keith Kidwell (R-Beaufort), the primary sponsor of the bill, said, “This is a significant and meaningful piece of legislation that upholds the religious freedoms and liberties of North Carolinians.”
How can it be wrong before, and right now?
And why two visits? Mebbe 3, 8,12, whatever? Totally arbitrary. Pardon my cynicism, we have been denied visits to several relatives and friends, two of whom died – we never got to see them.
Big Brother never lets a crisis go to waste. Are we all sheep? For example, at what vaccination level will we be no longer required to wear a mask or practice distancing? Any ideas on that one?
Not disagreeing with you. Just giving my 2¢. I am currently in the ICU and only 3 days ago was told I probably will not survive. Through the Grace of God I am recovering. At the time I was told to make preparations, I was utterly alone. All I wanted was my wife at my side. This Bill surely isn’t the best answer and restricting family from visiting is unconstitutional. But to know that the next guy wanting his wife with him in his moment of need is at least a step in the right direction. All things are possible through Our Lord And Saviour Jesus Christ!
I fully agree that not having family near sucks (and is even dangerous to not have family watching your back in the hospital). My father was twice in the hospital from a stroke during early covid spikes. I am glad they are allowing some kind of visit. I understand the risk of people entering a covid ICU etc…. All rationale responses to these crazy times. But people tossing around the word…unconstitutional…. How is hospital visitation policy a constitutional issue?
You have an important story to share…why discount it by tossing around the constitution?
When it comes down to brass tacks, they can only stop you if you let them. They can’t stop us all, all of the time. Sadly enough we are nearing a time when some willful disobedience may be a necessity unless you just want to graze as a sheep forevermore.