Bob Dole in hospital. Getting great care at Walter Reed

[proud2BlibKansan]

A spokesman for former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole says the 85-year old was admitted to Walter Reed Hospital July 2.

He's expected to undergo a skin graft on his leg on Monday.

The full statement:

Senator Dole was hospitalized last week after a sharply elevated heart rate in the middle of the night. Doctors determined his heart was fine but discovered a problem with open sores on both his legs. The surgeons at Walter Reed Army Medical Center determined the need to operate immediately and have since performed several procedures on his left leg. Doctors continue to evaluate Senator Dole's progress and are pleased to see both his legs are now healing properly. If Senator Dole's progress continues at its current pace the surgeons expect to perform a skin graft to repair the left leg on Monday.

Senator Dole said the following this morning:

"I am recovering nicely thanks to the great doctors, nurses and staff at Walter Reed. I have been coming to Walter Reed for over 40 years and I hope to be out by my birthday, July 22. It has been painful but I think I will be fine."

----

Former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole is in the hospital with what an email to friends calls a "serious leg infection."

He's expected to be in Walter Reed Army Hospital for a week or more, according to the email.

Dole will be 86 years old later this month.

http://primebuzz.kcstar.com/?q=node/19165

And check out the comments. Very first one questions why Dole is getting treatment at Walter Reed. Indeed. Only the best for former senators while other Americans die from lack of health care.

[dsc]

1. He isn't just a former Senator

he is a highly decorated veteran who is entitled to treatment in military hospitals on that basis alone. There are a great many Senators who can and should be used to make this point, Dole isn't one of them. He could have been a common laborer in DC and he would still be treated at Walter Reed.

[tekisui]

2. I would argue that we should also point to the care of veterans

as an example of what every citizen should be entitled to. The VA system could be a model as well as Senator-Care.

[dsc]

6. that is a fair point

[izquierdista]

8. VA should be good enough for EVERYONE

It operates pretty much like the National Health Care in Britain -- you get sick, you go see them, show them your card, and you get CARE, not runaround, not referral, not approval from your insurance company, you get care.

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. But this health problem isn't related to his war injuries

I know vets who have no health insurance and have died because the VA wouldn't treat them since their illness wasn't a result of their service. The rules for VA eligibility have changed since WWII.

[michreject]

13. I had surgery in a VA hospital

that was not related to my time in the military. I don't believe that there are restrictions. Just priorties.

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. I have a friend and a family member who were refused care

because their illnesses were not related to their service. It depends on when you served. More recent vets have different eligibility.

[dsc]

16. any disabled war vet would be covered

My dad is covered and he merely served during the time of the Korean War, no disability, no war service. He is income tested but his wife's income doesn't count. I was amazed he was covered but he was. Your point about typical vets in the modern era is well taken though.

[Mrs. Overall]

3. delete--I said something not so nice.

[Forkboy]

4. I can't bring myself to hate on Dole, Republican or not.

[Kurska]

5. He seems more sad then malicious.

The guy looks and talks like what I'd imagine a old hunting dog made human would.

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. My parents met him several times

and had nothing but nice things to say about him. And they were lifelong Dems.

I do remember my mom got really mad when Dole criticized Hillary for her book It Takes a Village. She wrote Dole a letter and reminded him that his village of Russell, KS did a great deal to help him when he came home with an injury from WWII. And he wrote my mom back, saying she was right and he had misspoke. That's a class act. Too bad more republicans today are not like Bob Dole.

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. I don't hate him

He was my senator and he was a good rep for many years. I actually voted for him, as I thought he was good for Kansas. But then he ran against Clinton and was an ass. And the GOP just got nastier from that point on. He was the last republican I voted for.

His wife is awful as well. :puke:

But I do wish him well. I don't like seeing anyone suffer from health problems.

[Forkboy]

10. Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you were hating on him.

Just stating that I have no real hatred to the guy like I do with so many other Repubs. He's just as wrong, but he's from a different era than the new breed of Repubs, who are not only wrong but clinically insane. :)

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. I didn't take it as criticism

My OP is criticizing the fact that he gets such great care while so many others do not.

[JVS]

23. I can

[mitchum]

12. He and his lovely wife have fed at the public trough for their entire careers

[michreject]

19. I can think of many on both sides

that have done the same.

We need term limits.

[Arkana]

14. Bob Dole's in pain. Bob Dole needs medical treatment.

Bob Dole likes to hear Bob Dole say Bob Dole's name. Bob Dole! Bob Dole! Bob Dole! Bob Dole! Bob Dole! Bob Dole. Bob Dole...Bob...ZZZZZZZ

[madaboutharry]

18. Bob Dole lead the filibuster in 1965 against Medicare.

He railed that it would lead the country down the road to socialism.

He seems to have no problem with benefiting from "government" health care himself. Hypocrite.

[mitchum]

24. Kicking this thread for your post

republican = hypocrite

[RB TexLa]

20. He's getting the treatment a veteran deserves. Let's make it where they all get that.

[proud2BlibKansan]

21. Exactly

[Botany]

22. best wishes to Bob Dole

he is a hero and I hope he gets better