John Fetterman Checks Himself Into Walter Reed Hospital for New Medical Disorder
Sen. John Fetterman has been hospitalized for the second time in just over a week, according to news reports.
Fetterman checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Wednesday night to be treated for clinical depression, CNBC reported.
“While John has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks,” according to a statement issued Thursday by Fetterman’s chief of staff, Adam Jentleson.
BREAKING: John Fetterman’s office says that he checked himself into Walter Reed to be treated for clinical depression. pic.twitter.com/v5JUMnTZju
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) February 16, 2023
“On Monday, John was evaluated by Dr. Brian P. Monahan, the attending physician of the United States Congress,” according to Jentleson’s statement.
“Yesterday, Dr. Monahan recommended inpatient care at Walter Reed. John agreed, and he is receiving treatment on a voluntary basis.
“After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself.”
The Pennsylvania Democrat has struggled with multiple health issues since suffering a stroke in May 2022 while campaigning for office.
That health episode led to months of speculation and much criticism that Fetterman was not fit for office.
They all knew & he should have dropped out.
He did this. I don’t feel bad for him.
Adam Jentleson, his chief of staff. Instead, Mr. Fetterman “was forced to do as much as possible — he had to get back to the campaign trail. It’s hard to claw that back.”https://t.co/qmx9bwpDaB— PA VOTER (Marla) (@PAKAG2020) February 10, 2023
He was previously hospitalized on Feb. 8 after complaining of lightheadedness during a Senate Democratic retreat.
Pittsburgh’s WTAE-TV reported that Fetterman had been discharged Friday after testing at George Washington University Hospital.
“In addition to the CT, CTA, and MRI tests ruling out a stroke, his EEG test results came back normal, with no evidence of seizures,” the outlet reported.
The New York Times reported last week that Fetterman‘s “near fatal” stroke last year left him with “physical impairment and serious mental health challenges,” including auditory processing issues.
“When it’s bad, Mr. Fetterman has described it as trying to make out the muffled voice of the teacher in the ‘Peanuts’ cartoon, whose words could never be deciphered,” the Times reported.
The Senate has attempted to provide him with specialized equipment to accommodate his disabilities, including a closed-caption monitor and live audio-to-text transcription, according to the report.
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