President Joe Biden’s physician, Kevin O’Connor, stated Tuesday that Biden has not seen a neurologist outside of his annual physical examinations. This response follows media reports suggesting a Parkinson’s specialist visited the White House multiple times.
O’Connor clarified that President Biden has not seen a neurologist outside of his annual physical examination. The statement comes after a heated exchange between journalists and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre during a press conference.
The New York Times, citing official visitor logs, reported that Dr. John Cannard, a movement disorder specialist, had visited the White House eight times since last summer.
However, O’Connor explained that Dr. Cannard has been visiting patients at the White House for over a decade and was not chosen specifically because of his expertise in movement disorders. The physician emphasized that the results of Dr. Cannard’s neurological examinations have been made public each time, most recently at the end of February.
In the published health report, O’Connor stated that there were no indications of possible strokes or Parkinson’s disease, and that the president showed “no tremor, either at rest or with activity.”The recent debate over President Biden’s health has sparked discussions about his suitability as the Democratic presidential candidate for the November election, given his age. However, Biden has rejected any doubts and refuses to take a cognitive health test to assess his mental abilities.
The White House’s decision to release this letter is seen as an uncommon move, indicating the increasing pressure surrounding the president’s health. The release likely aims to dispel any rumors suggesting the possibility of Parkinson’s disease and reassure the public about President Biden’s overall health and fitness for office.