Henry Rodgers on April 18, 2018
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar has been hospitalized for the second time in the same week, according to an HHS statement.
The news comes as Azar was first hospitalized Sunday night after he suffered from a “minor infection.” He was given antibiotics “out of an abundance of caution,” HHS said Sunday and was discharged the next day from St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis, Minn., The Wall Street Journal reported.
“I’m grateful for the incredible doctors & nurses who provided me with excellent care during my one-night stay at @StVincentIN,” Azar tweeted Monday. “Also thankful for my wife, who insisted that I call my primary care doctor when I wasn’t feeling well. Glad to be back at work for the American people.”
Azar was readmitted to the hospital for additional treatment after recommendation from his doctor. The department made it clear that Azar “remains fully engaged with the responsibilities of his job.”
“Secretary Azar has been and will continue to be in regular contact with HHS leadership, the White House, and members of Congress as he remains fully engaged with the responsibilities of his job,” HHS spokeswoman Caitlin Oakley said. “He and his family very much appreciate all of the well wishes and thoughts, and they are incredibly grateful for the doctors and nurses taking great care of him. Secretary Azar hopes to be back in his office at HHS as soon as possible, consistent with his needed recovery and the recommendations of his doctors, and we will continue to provide updates as available.”
Due to Azar’s health, he had to postpone a hearing in Washington, D.C., Thursday about the budget of the HHS.
