WASHINGTON, D.C. (LEX NEWS) — Sen. Mitch McConnell has released a statement to the public regarding his ongoing health condition and a recent four week-long hospital stay, along with a photo with his wife. McConnell's statement also included quotes from his attending physician, who says McConnell's recent hospital stay was attributed to his post-polio condition.
According to McConnell, when he was a child he was diagnosed with polio, which has impacted his mobility throughout his life. His recent hospital stay four weeks ago was due to a fall caused by his post-polio syndrome. While staying in the hospital, McConnell states that he also dealt with a mile case of pneumonia, which was treated through antibiotics.
“I can assure you that I’ve been a good patient. At my age, I tend to do what my doctors tell me to do. I’ve submitted to every test they can think of to help figure out what caused this incident. And I’m continuing to do everything they ask to speed my recovery. In fact, with signs of continued progress, I’ve been able to move from hospital care to a rehabilitation center where I’ll keep regaining my strength," McConnell said in his statement.
McConnell states that while he was unconscious, he did not experience any broken bones, concussion, heart attack, stroke, or tumors. According to his attending physician, McConnell states that the senator has undergone a comprehensive evaluation during his hospital stay.
Finally, McConnell states that his work with the U.S. Senate is not over. McConnell's health has become a hot topic of debate among Kentucky leaders since his hospitalization four weeks ago. On Saturday, Gov. Andy Beshear released a statement via social media demanding McConnell to provide an update on his health, "I'm calling on Sen. McConnell to provide voters an update on his own health... Just tell us what's going on."
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"You’re right to expect your representatives to work hard for you. And part of my decision to retire at the end of my term this coming January was being honest about the demands of Senate work. But I still have unfinished business to complete on your behalf, and I have every intention of finishing the job you elected me to do," said McConnell. "I’ll keep working hard to get back on the Senate floor as soon as possible. And I’ll keep you posted on the progress of my recovery. Until then, I’m so grateful for your prayers and well wishes."
See McConnell's full statement below:
To my fellow Kentuckians –
When you elected me to a seventh term and made me our Commonwealth’s longest serving Senator, you did so trusting that I’d keep showing up to fight for you every day. And over the past several weeks, Elaine and I have appreciated both your well wishes and your honest questions about what was keeping me away from the Senate.
You all know how folks of my generation often hesitate to share the vulnerability that comes with growing older. Even in the public eye, I feel that same instinct – I can’t help it.
But at the same time, I’ve had more than my share of experience with physical vulnerabilities. Surviving childhood polio meant spending my entire life with mobility challenges. They haven’t exactly gotten easier to manage with age. And last month, I took a fall which landed me in the hospital.
My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion. I didn’t have a heart attack or a stroke. I don’t have any tumors or hemorrhages. But I was briefly unconscious and was taken to the hospital. While receiving excellent care over the past several weeks, I’ve also had to deal with a mild case of pneumonia.
I can assure you that I’ve been a good patient. At my age, I tend to do what my doctors tell me to do. I’ve submitted to every test they can think of to help figure out what caused this incident. And I’m continuing to do everything they ask to speed my recovery. In fact, with signs of continued progress, I’ve been able to move from hospital care to a rehabilitation center where I’ll keep regaining my strength.
As much as it frustrates me, this process takes time. And on the advice of my doctors, I won’t be able to return to the Senate floor to vote quite yet. But rest assured that, in the meantime, I’m not taking a break from the Senate business that matters to you. I’ve been working closely with my legislative staff on current issues, and with my Kentucky team who help me provide timely constituent services across our Commonwealth. I’ve also been keeping in touch with my Senate colleagues on the appropriations process, midterm politics, and everything in between.
You’re right to expect your representatives to work hard for you. And part of my decision to retire at the end of my term this coming January was being honest about the demands of Senate work. But I still have unfinished business to complete on your behalf, and I have every intention of finishing the job you elected me to do.
I’ll keep working hard to get back on the Senate floor as soon as possible. And I’ll keep you posted on the progress of my recovery. Until then, I’m so grateful for your prayers and well wishes.”
-Sen. Mitch McConnell on July 12 at 5:21 p.m.
See the statement released by McConnell's attending health physician below:
“Senator McConnell has experienced several falls throughout the year that have been attributed to his post-polio condition. He was admitted to the hospital four weeks ago after falling at home and sustaining minor injuries.
A comprehensive evaluation by a multidisciplinary team determined that he had no fractures, cardiac abnormalities, stroke, tumor, or hemorrhage. Early in his hospitalization, he developed pneumonia, which responded rapidly to antibiotic treatment.
The remainder of his hospital stay focused on physical therapy and strategies to reduce his risk of future falls. He has been medically cleared to continue fully participating in his intensive physical therapy program.”
-Sen. Mitch McConnell's attending health physician on July 12 at 5:21 p.m.
