Tim Johnson Improving, Wants to Do Some Work

The mind has an amazing power to heal and Senator Tim Johnson is the proof after a serious brain surgery in December. The Democratic senator from South Dakota is clearly improving. Here's the story from AP writer Mary Clare Jalonick on Yahoo News:

Sen. Tim Johnson (news, bio, voting record) is reading news clippings and starting to do some office work from the hospital, almost two months after suffering a life-threatening brain hemorrhage. "At this point, he has requested more contact with office and is looking for updates from staff," his office said in a statement Friday.

(snip)

"We do not anticipate him back (in the Senate) for several weeks," Fisher said. "We are bringing work to him rather than him coming to us. His first priority still is rehabilitation."

Johnson has been undergoing physical, occupational and speech therapy since he was transferred to rehabilitation from intensive care at George Washington University Hospital last month. He recently began to read and speak in full sentences, according to statements from his doctors.

We wish the senator continued progress in his recovery. I suspect part of Senator Johnson's recovery has to do with the excellent health care coverage provided to senators. I hope the Senate starts giving some thought soon to what it means to millions of Americans who worry about the rising costs of health care. And how decent health care can help hundreds of thousands of Americans return to productive lives.