Alabama Governor Kay Ivey was hospitalized Tuesday after undergoing a minor medical procedure to remove fluid that was putting pressure on her lung, according to an official statement from her office.
The procedure followed several weeks of discomfort and recent shortness of breath. After monitoring her symptoms, Ivey decided to seek further evaluation from her primary care physician, which led to the decision to proceed with treatment.
She is currently being monitored at Baptist Medical Center South as a precaution. Officials emphasized that the situation was not considered an emergency, and the procedure itself was described as minor.
In a statement, her office said Ivey chose to move forward quickly with the procedure to ensure she could recover in time to complete her duties during the ongoing legislative session. While no exact timeline has been given for her discharge, she is expected to make a full recovery.
A spokesperson confirmed that the governor remains in contact with her staff and is focused on regaining full health. Messages of support have come from across the region, including from Steve Marshall and Brian Kemp, who both expressed confidence in her recovery and offered prayers and well wishes.
Ivey, 81, has previously faced serious health challenges. In 2019, she announced she was undergoing radiation treatment for lung cancer, and by 2020, her office confirmed she was cancer-free.
As she recovers, her office has indicated there are no major changes to her official schedule beyond the immediate recovery period. Further updates are expected as her condition progresses.
