Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg underwent nonsurgical treatment for a benign gallbladder condition on Tuesday at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, according to a court spokesperson.
She went to outpatient tests at the hospital after the court’s first day of oral arguments through phone on Monday morning.
“Those tests confirmed that she was suffering from a gallstone that had migrated to her cystic duct, blocking it and causing an infection,” according to the spokesperson.
The 870year-old is now “resting comfortably” at the hospital and is expected to remain there for a couple of days, the court’s spokesperson said.
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted, “Our prayers are with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. We wish her a speedy recovery as we send our love and well wishes!”
Ginsburg has a lengthy history of medical conditions. She has suffered four bouts of cancer.
In January 2019, she missed oral arguments for the first time while recovering from surgery that she underwent to get two cancerous nodules removed from her left lung.
Even after facing so many health issues, Ginsburg has remained one of the active participants on the high court, including during oral arguments on Tuesday.
The justices have been hearing oral arguments via phone because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Ginsburg is planning to take part in today’s session via phone, as well.
The court has been hearing a challenge to Trump administration rules, which would allow employers broader exemptions from offering contraceptive care to their employees.
Ginsburg has vowed to stay on the Supreme Court as long as her health permits.
Last year, she said she will “stay on the job” as long as she can “do it full steam.” “I was OK this last term. I expect to be OK next term,” she added. “And after that, we’ll just have to see.”
