ANNAPOLIS, Md. — ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The health of Maryland House Speaker Michael Busch appears to be taking a turn for the worse.
Busch announced last week that he had pneumonia. Alexandra Hughes, Busch’s chief of staff, said in a statement Sunday that Busch’s “breathing had taken a significant turn for the worse.”
She said Busch made the decision to use a ventilator to help his breathing. She added that “his condition has worsened over the past few hours.”
Busch said he developed a case of pneumonia after a follow-up health procedure to his 2017 liver transplant.
The Governor released the following statement:
Just heartbroken about @SpeakerBusch. He has dedicated his life to our state. He is a good man & it has been a privilege to work with him on behalf of the people of MD. I ask MDers to join us in sending our heartfelt prayers to the Speaker & his family during this difficult time.
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) April 7, 2019
In addition to a liver transplant in 2017, the 72-year-old speaker had bypass surgery last year. He’s the longest serving House speaker in the state’s history.
