Former President George H.W. Bush has been hospitalized in Houston for treatment of a lingering coug

[The Straight Story]

Former President George H.W. Bush has been hospitalized in Houston for treatment of a lingering cough.

Bush's chief of staff, Jean Becker, says the 88-year-old former president is being treated for bronchitis.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/11/29/bush-hospitalized-houston-cough/1734883/

11:48AM EST November 29. 2012 - Former President George H.W. Bush has been in a Houston hospital for a week with a lingering cough that has drawn concern, the Houston Chronicle reports.

Bush, 88, has bronchitis, but his condition is not considered life threatening and he is expected to be released this weekend, Jean Becker, his chief of staff, tells the Chronicle.

She said his staff has "kept this quiet out of respect for him."

Becker tells the Chronicle that Bush has been in and out of Methodist Hospital for a few weeks. He was visited there Sunday by his son, former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura.

"His big problem is a chronic cough, he can't get rid of so he's back at Methodist," Becker says. "This is not a life-threatening illness."

[Walk away]

1. Stop the presses!!!!! nt

[treestar]

2. Great that he can afford treatment for it

[leftstreet]

3. He probably didn't sit around in an ER all day either

His wife's beautiful mind won't get muddied with medical bill stress

[joeybee12]

12. My father has been in and out of the hospital the past year...he's 93...

Always end up spending a full day in the ER before he's admitted...even when he is brought in by ambulance...you're right the Bushes don't have to deal with shit like that.

[KansDem]

5. Yeah, I wondered when he entered to be admitted...

...if the first three statements he heard were:

1. Need your insurance card
2. Need your photo I.D.
3. Need your co-pay

I'm old enough to remember when the receptionist or nurse would smile and ask how I was doing, but that was in the days before there were 30 doctors in one office...

[PCIntern]

4. He caught the cold standing outside the Texas School Book Depository Building in Dallas...

you can look up the pic!

[B2G]

6. Unless he magically changed his hairline and chin,

that's not him.

[Ikonoklast]

7. While not remembering where he was that day.

Everyone I know knew exactly where they were when they heard the horrible news.


Bush was a CIA 'asset'.

And the CIA hated Kennedy.

[leftyohiolib]

8. it's his conscience, it's tired of being ignored and is trying to leave

[msongs]

9. wanna bet he is not paying for this via medicare? nt

[LiberalAndProud]

10. I hope he gets better soon.

That must hurt like hell.

[Avalux]

11. Normal people aren't hospitalized for bronchitis unless it's serious.

Treatments for chronic bronchitis don't usually require hospitalization unless surgery is involved to excise pieces of diseased lung tissue.

I am wondering if his underlying condition is COPD.

[LiberalAndProud]

13. How about normal 88-year-old people.

I imagine my dad having coughing spells from bronchitis. The thought really bothers me, because I know how much pain it would cause. I'd take him to the hospital, no doubt.

[Avalux]

14. I see your point but hospitals are for acute conditions.

You may take your dad to the ER, but a chronic cough can be treated with steroids, narcotics, antibiotics as an outpatient. They wouldn't keep him for a week unless acute and serious.

[cynatnite]

15. No they are not...

Besides, at his age with bronchitis that won't go away....it can be very acute if not monitered closely.

[Avalux]

16. You made my point.

At his age with bronchitis....can be very acute. EXACTLY. The article is downplaying the seriousness.

[The_Counsel]

17. his staff has "kept this quiet out of respect for him."

... or perhaps they kept it quiet because it simply isn't news?

The man's approaching 90 years old. Even as a former president with the best care imaginable, can we really expect him to be the picture of health at this point? Just sayin'.

Either way ... godspeed to Mr. Bush.