Episode

One Thing: Are Lawmakers Taking Medical Privacy Too Far?

Podcast
CNN 5 Things
Published
Jul 12, 2026
Duration seconds
1474
Processing state
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Markdown
/podcast/cnn-5-things-716851/one-thing-are-lawmakers-taking-medical-privacy-too-far.md

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Summary

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has been hospitalized for nearly a month, but it remains unclear why or what his condition is. His prolonged absence comes just after Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ) disappeared for over 100 days, for what he later revealed was treatment for depression. These incidents are reigniting a prickly debate over what information lawmakers owe voters, the limits of medical privacy, and if Congress is just too old.  Note: This episode was recorded before McConnell's statement revealing that his hospitalization was due to a fall. Read more here. It was also recorded before the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham. ---  Guest: Casey Burgat, The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Photo: Tom Brenner/Reuters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices