MONTGOMERY, AL — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has been hospitalized after undergoing a "minor procedure" to remove fluid that was pressing against her lung, the governor's office said Tuesday, March 31.
The 81-year-old Republican lawmaker had been experiencing some discomfort in her left side for the last three weeks, according to Gina Maiola, Ivey's communications director. After monitoring the pain and recently feeling slightly short of breath, Ivey decided to be seen again by her primary care physician on March 31.
It was then recommended that she be evaluated by a surgeon at Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery, the capital city of Alabama, and it was determined there was some fluid pushing against Ivey's lung, Maiola said.
"While it was not emergent, Gov. Ivey wanted to get the procedure done as soon as possible so she can quickly get back to 100 percent to wrap up the 2026 (legislative) regular session," Maiola said in a statement. "This afternoon, the governor successfully underwent a minor procedure at Baptist South to remove that fluid. Out of an abundance of caution, she will be monitored at Baptist South in the coming days."
Lawmakers are in the final days of the state's regular session.
