President Joe Biden’s 2024 physical remains largely unchanged from last year, with his White House physician saying there are “no new concerns” and labeling the 81-year-old as “fit to serve.”
The White House released the results of Biden’s physical exam late Wednesday afternoon after he took Marine One to Bethesda to have the annual exam done at Walter Reed.
The report, written by the president’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, said Biden’s skin cancer from last year had not spread, detailed his use of a CPAP machine to treat sleep apnea and noted that Biden was equipped with a new contact lens prescription.
“President Biden is a healthy, active, robust man of 81 years of age who remains fit to successfully discharge the duties of the presidency, including those as Chief Executive, Head of State and Commander in Chief,” the report said.
Rather the White House had confirmed that Biden did not take a cognitive test during the exam.
President Joe Biden’s 2024 physical remains largely unchanged from last year, with his White House physician saying there are “no new concerns” and labeling the 81-year-old as “fit to serve.”
Using the same language as last year’s memo, O’Connor said Biden underwent “an extremely detailed neurological examination” that ruled out “stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s or ascending lateral sclerosis.”
O’Connor called the addition of Biden’s CPAP machine — which became public knowledge in late June — the most “notable” health development of the past year.
“Most people experience some difficulty getting used to falling asleep while wearing a mask on their face, as well as keeping it on all night,” O’Connor said. “This is reasonably expected and should actually be expected.”
“The president had a very similar experience,” the top White House doctor noted.
He wrote that after “several masks,” Biden was able to find one that worked.
“He is remarkably committed to adhering to therapy and uses PAP successfully almost every night, for most or all of the night,” O’Connor added.
The new report also noted Biden’s root canal last summer, which O’Connor said “tolerated” well.
The president still suffers from a stiff gait, ‘but has not worsened since last year’, meaning the president still suffers from a stiff gaith The doctor attributed this to ‘wear and tear’ of his spine.
“The president’s arthritic changes remain moderate to severe, but still do not result in nerve root compression sufficient to warrant special treatment,” O’Connor said.
The president takes a combination of prescription and over-the-counter medications, including Eliquis for his Afib and Crestor to keep his lipid levels low.
He has a prescription nasal spray, takes Allegra for seasonal allergies, and takes Nexium over the counter.
The report acknowledged that Biden “spent significant time in the sun in his youth,” but after Mohs surgery was performed before the start of his presidency, “no areas requiring biopsy were detected.”
“The president has been happily married for 46 years. He does not use tobacco products, does not drink alcohol and continues to exercise at least five times a week,” O’Connor also said.
Press during Wednesday’s briefing secretary Karine Jean-Pierre Concerns expressed in opinion polls of American voters that the 81-year-old is not fit for a second term were brushed aside and he praised his record.
She rejected the need for a cognitive test, despite the fact that the Justice Department called him an “older man with poor memory” in the special counsel’s report on his mishandling of classified documents.
“His doctor, including the neurologist, do not believe he needs one,” Jean-Pierre said at Wednesday’s press conference.
She responded, “People need to understand that the president passes a cognitive test every day!”
“Given that so much research has been done…why doesn’t he just have his doctor perform the test?” a reporter asked after Biden went to Walter Reed for his annual health check.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that President Joe Biden did not take a cognitive test during his annual physical on Wednesday, insisting he “doesn’t need one.”
“His doctor, including the neurologist, doesn’t believe he needs one,” Jean-Pierre added.
A team of twenty doctors, including the White House physician, attended the exam at Walter Reed.
“That’s their assessment,” she added.
Jean-Pierre also backed off when a reporter asked Biden’s White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor to address the press in the briefing room.
“There is no precedent for bringing the doctor into the briefing room. “I understand it’s happened a few times over the last 35 years, a few times, but it’s not actually the precedent,” she said.
During former President Donald Trump’s term, Dr. Ronny Jackson, now a U.S. representative for Texas, in the briefing room where he applauded the Republican’s good genes.
Biden made a surprise departure from the White House on Wednesday morning, telling reporters he was heading to Walter Reed to undergo his annual physical
Biden arrives at Walter Reed Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland on Wednesday to receive his annual physical exam, with results expected to be released Wednesday afternoon
He also said Trump did not need a cognitive test, calling the leader “very sharp” and “very intact.”
“When it comes to the doctor coming to the briefing room, it’s not the norm. We are trying to return to the norm of the past, where doctors do not come to the briefing room,” Jean-Pierre argued on Wednesday.
She said the memo, released later Wednesday afternoon, would be “robust” and “comprehensive.”
Biden previously joked that doctors “think I look too young” as he gave reporters an update on his annual medical exam.
Biden spent about two and a half hours at Bethesda Medical Center, returned to the White House and then held an event on reducing crime in the United States with top law enforcement voices in the State Dining Room.
“I’m fine, everything is fine,” he told reporters after making brief remarks. “No, there’s nothing different from last year,” he also revealed.
Polls have shown for months that a majority of Americans doubt whether Biden can be effective during a second term, which would end when he is 86 years old.
During O’Connor’s assessment last year, Biden was also described as “fit for duty.”