July 26, 2024

The Queens County Citizen

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Ruth Bader Ginsburg ‘rested comfortably’ after non-surgical treatment for benign gallbladder conditions on Tuesday

Ruth Bader Ginsburg responds to health concerns (2019)

After the first day of oral court disputes by telephone Monday morning, Ginsburg went for an outpatient test at a hospital in Washington. The tests, according to the statement, “confirm that he is suffering from gallstones that have migrated to his cystic tract, obstructing and causing infection.”

Ginsburg is currently “resting comfortably” and will participate in Wednesday’s oral argument by telephone from the hospital. He hopes to stay in the hospital for “a day or two.”

The judges listened to verbal arguments over the phone because of Covid-19, and Wednesday they were scheduled to hear a case regarding the contraceptive mandate called the Affordable Care Act.

Ginsburg has a long history of medical problems.

He missed an oral argument for the first time in January 2019, while recovering from surgery after two cancer nodules had been removed from his left lung the previous month. At that time, he participated in cases by reading transcripts. Liberal justice received treatment in November 2018 for three broken ribs during a fall in his office. And in August 2019, he was treated for pancreatic cancer.
As a result, his health was under close scrutiny when the court grappled with broad cases that could change American law. Since taking office, President Donald Trump has made two promises, Neil Gorsuch in 2017 and Brett Kavanaugh in 2018, deepening the conservative slope.
But even in the face of health complications, Ginsburg remained an active participant in the high court – including during Tuesday’s oral argument, which was broadcast live on CNN.
And last month, even though the Supreme Court was closed to the public because of a pandemic, Ginsburg worked there. At the time, Kathy Arberg, a court spokesman, said the court had its own training ground.

“At Justice Ginsburg’s request, the Court has set aside limited private space next to his health facility for Judge Ginsburg to exercise. His doctors share his view that the training session is very important for his well-being,” Arberg told CNN.

“This space is used exclusively by the court,” Arberg added. “There are no other judges who use this space, and the employee gym is closed to all users.”

The liberal icon is well-known for his opinion on issues of civil rights, including the landmark case of opening the Virginia Military Institute for women.

His disagreement in recent years has continued to energize Democrats as Republicans control the White House and Senate, and the Supreme Court moves to the right.

In 2013, Ginsburg was nicknamed “Notorious RBG,” a drama about former rapper Notorious B.I.G., in response to the dissent he wrote when the majority of the court issued a milestone decision to restore voting rights.

He said last year he would “keep working” as long as he could “do it passionately.”

“I was fine this season. I hope it will be fine next season,” Ginsburg said. “And after that we just have to see.”

This story has been updated with additional background information.

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