On Monday, Republicans in the Minnesota Senate shot down an amendment that would have allowed same-sex couples access to medical records when one partner dies. The proposed amendment, authored by Sen. Scott Dibble of Minneapolis, would have been attached to a bill that would add adult children to the list of people able to access medical records when someone dies.

Sen. Scott Brown, a Republican from Becker, said he had no problem with the amendment before he voted against it.

Eric Austin of Outstate Politics summarized what happened:

You know what that means, right? First, it means that gay couples aren’t currently allowed to see the medical records of a deceased loved one. Second, it means that given the opportunity to allow gay couples to have this simple right, Minnesota Senate Republicans said NO. I am not sure how denying gay couples the right to see the health records of their partner strengthens my straight marriage or protects the children but I am sure we will get an explanation from the folks in favor of the amendment.

The Uptake captured the moment as well:

http://www.mnprogressiveproject.com/diary/11095/republicans-deny-domestic-partners-the-right-to-medical-records