Transparency Problems at #SCOTUS: Scalia Was “Considered Too Weak” For Surgery But We Didn’t Find Out Until After His Death

From AP:

Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara told The Associated Press on Monday she spoke with Scalia’s doctor on the day he was found dead in his room at a remote Texas ranch. She said the doctor told her that Scalia had a history of heart trouble, high blood pressure and was considered too weak to undergo surgery for a recent shoulder injury.

Those details are seemingly at odds with recollections of friends who described Scalia as his usual, happy self during the days leading up to his death. News that the 79-year-old justice was in declining health may come as a surprise to the public, but unlike presidents, the high court’s members don’t provide regular health disclosures.

Yet another indication of how the Supreme Court is terribly non-transparent. Its hearings are not televised; it until recently did not even announce late changes to its opinions; it decides many emergency cases without ever giving reasons; and the health condition of its members are not adequately disclosed unless a Justice, like Justice Ginsburg has done, voluntarily discloses it.

The public should have the right to more information about one of the three branches of government.

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