Democrat Donald Payne has been in a coma for 11 DAYS: A serious health update for the New Jersey representative who is unconscious on a ventilator after a heart attack
- New Jersey Democrat Donald Payne suffered a heart attack on April 6
- He is being treated at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
- Since his cardiac event, Payne has been unconscious and remains intubated
A New Jersey Democrat has been in a coma for 11 days after suffering a heart attack and has yet to regain consciousness.
Rep. Donald Payne, D-N.J., suffered a heart attack on April 6 and has since been in a coma, intubated at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, according to the New Jersey Sphere.
Payne, 65, has suffered from health problems in the past, including diabetes and liver problems, which have required him to undergo regular dialysis treatment.
“Congressman Donald M. Payne Jr. suffered a heart attack last week due to complications from his diabetes,” his office said in a statement.
“Today he remains in a stable condition at a local hospital and remains under medical care.”
Rep. Donald Payne, D-N.J., has reportedly been in a coma since suffering a heart attack on April 6 and has yet to regain consciousness
The five-term Democrat is being treated at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
Earlier, his office released a statement indicating that the Democrat was recovering from the heart attack.
“He is currently recovering in hospital while doctors conduct routine examinations to monitor and observe his improvement,” the April 9 statement said.
“The Congressman’s prognosis is good and he is expected to make a full recovery,” the statement continued.”
However, new details indicate that his office’s prognosis that he will get better is exaggerated as he has not yet woken up after suffering a heart attack 11 days ago.
It is unclear when he will return to work in Washington.
Payne’s office did not immediately return a request for comment.
“My heart is with my friend, Congressman Donald Payne, and his family following the heart attack he experienced this past weekend,” Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., said in a statement following Payne’s hospitalization.
“Donald is a fighter and I am encouraged that his prognosis is good and that he is receiving the medical care he needs.”
Payne is a five-term Democrat who was first elected in 2012 after the death of his father Donald Payne Sr.
The elder Payne held the seat his son now holds from 1989 until his death in 2012.
Despite being in a coma, Payne’s office said that “he is in stable condition at a local hospital and remains under the care of a physician.”
Payne’s absence comes at a time when the margin between Republicans and Democrats in the House of Representatives is already razor-thin.
According to the House Clerk’s Office, there are currently 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats with four seats vacant.
And the planned departure of Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., from the House of Representatives in the coming week will further shrink the vote margin between the two parties.