Ambulances Dispatched to Sen. Robert Byrd’s Home

There’s no indication that it’s anything more than a mild fall, but Politico reports that ambulances and fire trucks were dispatched this morning to the home of Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.).

At 91 years, Byrd is the oldest member of the Senate, and he has been in poor health for much of the year. Advocates of health care reform are particularly anxious for Byrd to return to the Senate, since he has pledged to take up the health care mission of his good friend, the late Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.).

From Politico:

“Byrd apparently stood up too fast this morning in his home and fell down,” said Jesse Jacobs, a spokesman for the senator. “To err on the side of caution his caregiver called an ambulance. He was taken to the hospital where he is currently being checked out. At this point in time there is no indication that he will be admitted.”

If Byrd’s health does take a turn for the worse and he’s forced to leave the Senate, his replacement would be appointed by the state’s Democratic governor, Joe Manchin. Nonetheless, with Kennedy’s passing having complicated the prospects for health reform, Democrats will be hoping for Byrd’s speedy recovery.

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