Former President George H.W. Bush Hospitalized In Texas

Former President George H.W. Bush has been hospitalized in Houston, according to a report in the Houston Chronicle.

Bush, 88, is said to be ill, but not with a “life-threatening condition,” suffering bronchitis that is being treated cautiously due to his age.

Former President Bush’s chief of staff confirmed that the family has kept his illness under wraps in deference to his privacy, simply stating:

“President Bush is in the hospital … We have kept this quiet out of respect for him.”

Bush was admitted to Methodist Hospital on Black Friday, and has been “in and out” of the facility for weeks — though spokesman Jim McGrath says he is faring “much better” after a worrisome cough caused concern.

McGrath explained:

“He’s doing a lot better. He was admitted last Friday with a case of bronchitis … They were able to successfully treat that case of it, but he still has a lingering cough and that and the fact that he’s 88, they’re just being extra cautious and holding him until the cough gets better.”

Becker also cited a lingering cough for the former head of state, saying that former President Bush had been unable to kick the sickness and that docs worried it could become pneumonia:

“His big problem is a chronic cough, he can’t get rid of so he’s back at Methodist … This is not a life-threatening illness.”

However, George H.W. Bush’s week-long hospitalization has appeared to improve his condition, and the former president may be released from the facility as soon as this weekend.