John Fetterman releases updated medical report that says he's 'recovering well from his stroke' as Mehmet Oz attacks his health
- John Fetterman's doctor said the candidate "is recovering well from his stroke," in an updated medical report.
- The Oz campaign had been urging Fetterman to release new medical records.
Pennsylvania Senate Democratic candidate John Fetterman "is recovering well from his stroke and his health has continued to improve," his doctor said in an updated medical report the campaign released on Wednesday.
Fetterman met with his primary care physician on Friday, who said in the letter that his physical exam, lung exam, heart rate and strength were each "normal" and "regular."
Fetterman, who suffered from a stroke in May, has come under attack by his Republican opponent Mehmet Oz in recent weeks over his health. The Oz campaign has questioned Fetterman's ability to serve in light of his stroke and repeatedly insisted he provide an update on his health since his last medical report released in June.
On Tuesday, the Oz campaign sent a letter signed by 15 physicians in Pennsylvania, urging Fetterman to release his medical records and "provide Pennsylvanians with the transparency they are owed." Last month, Oz released his own medical report after an annual checkup, in which his doctor stated he was in "excellent health."
Fetterman has fended off the criticisms, maintaining that he's in good shape to serve in the Senate, a note his doctor echoed in the letter.
"Overall, Lt. Governor Fetterman is well and shows strong commitment to maintaining good fitness and health practices," primary care physician Clifford Chen said. "He has no work restrictions and can work full duty in public office."
Fetterman's campaign said in a statement that the report was "crushing news for Oz, who has been rooting against John's recovery and staked his entire campaign on it."
Fetterman said on Twitter that he's "doing great" and remains "fully ready to serve."
An Oz campaign spokesperson said in a statement to Insider that it's "good news that John Fetterman's doctor gave him a clean bill of health," but the "bad news is that John Fetterman still supports releasing convicted murderers out on the streets and has zero explanation for why he didn't pay his taxes 67 times."
"And now that he apparently is healthy, he can debate for 90 minutes, start taking live questions from voters and reporters, and do a second debate now too," spokesperson Brittany Yanick said.
Election Day is less than three weeks away. Oz has recently been closing in on Fetterman's lead, according to polls. The rivals are set to face off publicly for the first time on the debate stage on Tuesday in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. During the debate, Fetterman will rely on closed captioning, which he has been using in other public appearances and interviews to aid his recovery.
Fetterman's doctor said while the lieutenant governor "continues to exhibit symptoms of an auditory processing disorder" he "spoke intelligently without cognitive deficits" in his check-up.
"Occasional words he will 'miss' which seems like he doesn't hear the word but it is actually not processed properly," the doctor said. "His hearing of sound such as music is not affected. His communication is significantly improved compared to his first visit assisted by speech therapy which he has attended on a regular basis since the stroke."
An Insider/Morning Consult poll last month found that a majority of Americans support proposals that would require physical and mental examinations before top federal leaders are allowed to serve.