SEPTEMBER
12, 2004 --
LPR
joined a manageable throng of reporters outside New York Hospital,
Labor Day, in the very upper west side of Manhattan to await
word on President Clinton's heart surgery.
Shortly after 3 p.m. the media was invited into the Milstein Hospital
Building of New York Presbyterian for a 4 p.m. press conference in the
lobby. (Soda and water provided to the media by the hospital.)
The press conference was moderated by Dr. Herbert Pardes, president of
the hospital, with Dr. Craig R. Smith, Clinton heart surgeon, Dr. Allan
Schwartz, director of cardiology, and Dr. Robert Kelly, hospital C.O.O.
on the panel.
Dr. Schwartz noted that Mr. Clinton began having heart symptoms "several
months ago."
The Clinton family earlier had released a message that, among other things,
advised Americans to see their doctors when suffering serious discomfort.
It would seem that this advice was offered as a result of the former
president's apparent failure to talk to his doctor when the serious symptoms
first appeared.
Dr. Kelly said thast hospitalization for President Clinton cost about
$25,000.
LPR, recognized by Dr. Pardes for a question, asked about Mr. Clinton's
blood pressure and Dr. Schwartz acknowledged that it had been high and
he indicated
that the post-operative medication will take the blood pressure problem
into account.
Dr. Smith said that the quadruple bypass surgery began at 8 a.m. and
was completed at noon. Dr. Schwartz said that President Clinton was awake
but sedated at the time of the press conference.
Dr. Schwartz told the newspeople that President Clinton had 90 percent
blockage in his arteries and would likely have suffered a heart attack
if the surgery had not occurred. Dr. Schwartz added that Mr. Clinton
was, otherwise, "generally extremely healthy."
Dr. Smith reviewed the surgery, indicating that it was routine, and he
noted, with reference to Mr. Clinton, "This is not the average person
in recovery."
LPR was not on hand when President Clinton was discharged from the hospital,
September 10, but LPR was present, Tuesday morning, when photographers
took interest in a white vehicle about to leave hospital grounds.
A reporter for NBC told LPR that Chelsea Clinton was in the vehicle and
LPR directed its camera in the direction of the cameras of the other
photographers, at least one of them getting an image of Ms. Clinton on
digital.
LPR, still using film, caught only the exterior of the vehicle.
The Clinton family statement, issued prior to the surgery, expressed
appreciation for the 26,000 messages of good will that had been received,
hoped that some day all Americans will have the good health
coverage that the Clintons have, called for support for working people
on Labor Day and asked for prayers for the Florida hurricane victims
and the terrorism
victims in Russia.
There is no word, that Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kerry
plans to call for legislation requiring annual medical check-ups of all
Americans -- the A CURE bill (Annual Check-Ups Required
of Everyone).
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Vehicle
leaving hospital Tuesday morning, with Chelsea believed
to be passenger, and driven by her boyfriend.
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