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A curt text message privately rejecting concerns from leaders at the Children\u2019s Hospital of Philadelphia about Medicaid cuts was a \u201cdumb joke,\u201d U.S. Sen. John Fetterman<\/a> (D., Pa.) told CNN this weekend<\/a>. <\/p>\n In his statement to CNN, Fetterman called a recent report from the Wall Street Journal<\/a> \u2014 which reignited claims that he\u2019s not fully performing the role of a U.S. senator<\/a> \u2014 a \u201chit piece from disgruntled staffers.\u201d <\/p>\n \u00bb READ MORE: John Fetterman reportedly dismissed CHOP leaders, rejected other meetings as he avoids Senate duties<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cPer usual \u2014 lies, half-truths, innuendos, smears, and anonymous,\u201d Fetterman said. He later added: \u201cNo matter how many smears or stories, I\u2019m proud to continue to deliver for Pennsylvania.\u201d<\/p>\n The Wall Street Journal report included text messages between Fetterman and his staff and detailed several meetings or events that Fetterman tried to get out of attending, including the meeting with CHOP leaders and a funeral for three York County police officers who were killed while on duty<\/a>. <\/p>\n Fetterman said the leaked text messages were \u201cstripped of any context and circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n According to the Wall Street Journal, while discussing the meeting with CHOP officials last September, Fetterman asked in a text, \u201cWhy do I have to keep having to meet with chop.\u201d <\/p>\n An aide responded, \u201cBecause they\u2019re worried about Medicaid cuts.\u201d Fetterman wrote back, \u201cWell, I\u2019m not.\u201d He then wrote, \u201cI\u2019m convinced they just want free trips to DC.\u201d <\/p>\n Fetterman told CNN that comment was a \u201cdumb joke,\u201d and \u201cfor that, I sincerely apologize.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cMy office and I always have, and always will, advocate for CHOP, support their requests and any other needs that we can assist with,\u201d Fetterman told CNN.<\/p>\n The newspaper\u2019s report also included text messages in which Fetterman questioned the length of the funeral for the three York County police officers, writing \u201c3 hours??,\u201d and said attending \u201cmay be a nonstarter.\u201d Fetterman, who grew up in York County, did not attend the funeral, according to the report. <\/p>\n Fetterman told CNN that he \u201cprivately ordered flowers to be delivered for their families and expressed my condolences publicly<\/a>\u201d on the day of the fatal shooting. He also said he privately attended a fundraiser for the officers\u2019 families in June, saying, \u201cI met with their chief and the family members directly to express my personal condolences.\u201d <\/p>\n The first-term senator\u2019s tenure has been plagued with criticism. Former staffers have said he often cancels meetings at the last minute, and he has increasingly isolated himself from Democrats<\/a> in Washington, according to the Wall Street Journal. He regularly appears on conservative media and attacks his own party, and he does not make regular public appearances in<\/a> the Keystone State. <\/p>\n \u00bb READ MORE: John Fetterman says he\u2019s not switching parties. Here\u2019s why everyone\u2019s talking about it anyway.<\/a><\/p>\n