Former President George H.W. Bush Hospitalized Again
HOUSTON (AP/CBSDFW) - Former President George H.W. Bush was in a Houston hospital Thursday for treatment of a lingering cough, the second time he has been hospitalized in recent weeks.
Bush, 88, has been in and out of the hospital recently for complications resulting from bronchitis, Methodist Hospital said in a brief statement. Jean Becker, Bush's chief of staff in Houston, told the Houston Chronicle his most recent stay began Friday.
Bush spokesman Jim McGrath told CBS 11 Political Reporter Jack Fink that the President was first admitted to Methodist Hospital in Houston beginning either November 7th or 8th and was diagnosed with bronchitis. McGrath says Mr. Bush left the hospital about a week later.
The hospital described Bush as stable in his current stay, and said it expected to release him within 72 hours.
McGrath says the 41st President was re-admitted to Methodist Hospital when the bronchitis "came back with a vengence." He says Mr. Bush has a persistent cough, but that it's not a life-threatening health issue. He says Mr. Bush does not have pneumonia.
Bush and his wife, Barbara, make their winter home in Houston and spend summers in Kennebunkport, Maine.
Their son, former President George W. Bush, and his wife, former first lady Laura Bush, have been among the elder Bush's visitors. A spokesman for the younger Bush, who lives in Dallas, declined to comment and referred questions to McGrath, who said they last visited Sunday.
McGrath also says that the former President's son, Neil, a Houston resident, and daughter Dorothy also visited the hospital.
McGrath says sons Jeb and Marvin Bush, like the rest of the family, have called very often.
Bush was seen a few weeks ago attending a Houston Texans NFL game, something he does frequently.
The former president suffers a form of Parkinson's disease that has forced him to use a wheelchair or motorized scooter to get around.
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