WASHINGTON: The Pentagon released a statement on Monday addressing the secrecy surrounding Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin’s cancer treatment, attributing it in part to privacy concerns but finding no evidence of intentional wrongdoing. Austin’s decision to withhold his prostate cancer diagnosis from President Joe Biden and Congress sparked controversy, with details emerging weeks after his hospitalization on January 1.
According to an unclassified summary of a review initiated by Austin’s chief of staff, medical privacy laws restricted healthcare providers from openly sharing information about Austin’s condition. Additionally, staff members were hesitant to pry or disclose details they had learned. The review also highlighted the absence of a clear protocol for transferring authorities in unplanned situations, contributing to limited information sharing.
Austin, aged 70 and a seasoned military leader, underwent surgery for his cancer on December 22 but faced complications prompting readmission on January 1. Despite his hospitalization, Biden and Congress were not informed until days later, with Biden learning of the diagnosis on January 9.
While some Republican lawmakers called for Austin’s removal over the secrecy, Biden opted to support him. Austin faced another hospitalization on February 11 for bladder issues, where he underwent treatment under general anesthesia. This time, officials promptly notified the public, and Austin was discharged two days later.
The Pentagon’s summary underscores the complexities surrounding medical privacy laws and the challenges of transparency in high-level government positions, shedding light on the need for clearer protocols in similar situations.
