"You lie" Congressman Joe Wilson in South Carolina hospital

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Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC), who yelled out ''You Lie!'' during President Obama's speech on healthcare in September of 2009, calls out to a colleague before Obama's arrival to deliver his State of the Union Address on Capitol Hill, January 27, 2010. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC), who yelled out ''You Lie!'' during President Obama's speech on healthcare in September of 2009, calls out to a colleague before Obama's arrival to deliver his State of the Union Address on Capitol Hill, January 27, 2010.

Credit: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque

CHARLESTON, South Carolina | Thu Aug 25, 2011 1:20pm EDT

CHARLESTON, South Carolina (Reuters) - Joe Wilson of South Carolina -- the lawmaker who shouted "You Lie" at President Barack Obama during a speech -- remained hospitalized on Thursday with an "extended fever," his congressional office said.

Wilson contracted Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness, after working in his yard. He is being treated at the Lexington Medical Center in West Columbia, South Carolina, said Eric Dell, Wilson's chief of staff.

"He's feeling a lot better today," Dell told Reuters.

Dell said he did not know how long Wilson would remain in the hospital or what treatment he was receiving.

Wilson, a Republican, shouted "You lie!" at President Barack Obama during a televised joint session of Congress in 2009 while Obama was speaking on healthcare reform.

Wilson later apologized, but recently has said his statement was justified, citing community health center grants he claims will benefit illegal immigrants.

(Reporting by Harriet McLeod; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Greg McCune)
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Comments (16)
gracey2005 wrote:
The bacteria that causes lyme disease is a stealth bacteria that is hard to kill and when it is killed it will make you very sick. He’s getting the antibiotis thus his body is reacting to the die off of the bacteria which releases toxins. The government has known lyme disease is a real problem for a long time but they have set back and done absolutely nothing about it. There are some members of Congress that have been trying feverishly to move research and treatment in the right direction unfortunately the big green dollar has eluded the addressing of this very serious problem.

How many more people must be effected (even if some of you dont like this person making the news with lyme disease). Once someone you know gets affected and you see the suffering that goes with this disease will be agree this is problem. Something must be done. You don’t wait to the hurricane hits to get insurance. This is a problem that can potential effect every walk of life – their is no risky behavior that makes one a victim of this disease and its awful co-infections. It is like committing suicide but you keep living.

Aug 25, 2011 1:14pm EDT  --  Report as abuse
Garlicnosed wrote:
He should never have apologized, as it’s been proved he was right: the health “care” bill WILL cover illegal alien dirt bag invaders.

Aug 25, 2011 1:28pm EDT  --  Report as abuse
sgreco1970 wrote:
Let me guess, he’s in there on health insurance paid for with tax dollars.

Aug 25, 2011 1:54pm EDT  --  Report as abuse
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