Michael Callahan, a partner in the firm’s Health Care Practice, was quoted in a Chicago Tribune article discussing new federal and state regulations that expand the definitions of "family," "spouse" and "next of kin" to include partners and friends for hospital visitation and other medical purposes. These rules and revised hospital policies offer greater protection for the gay community, as well as unmarried couples, says Mr. Callahan, by allowing the patient and not the hospital or the physician to determine who will be allowed to visit and who can receive medical information about the patient. ("Hospital doors open wider to partners, friends," September 14, 2011)