Washington, D.C. – The Biden administration addressed concerns over the frequent visits of a Parkinson’s disease expert to the White House in a late-night letter on Monday. This explanation came after White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre refused to comment on the matter, citing security and privacy reasons. Questions arose after reports surfaced of Dr. Kevin Cannard, a neurologist at Walter Reed Medical Center, making numerous visits to the White House, including one to President Joe Biden’s residence in January.
According to the New York Times, Dr. Cannard’s name appeared in visitor logs eight times between July 2023 and March 2024. The White House has stated that any visits after March cannot be disclosed due to the voluntary disclosure policy. The letter from White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor clarified that Dr. Cannard does not examine the President on every visit, with most visits being for clinics held for other individuals at the White House.
Dr. O’Connor confirmed that President Biden has seen a neurologist only once a year for a regular checkup since taking office in 2020. The latest examination did not reveal any signs of Parkinson’s disease. White House press secretary Jean-Pierre reiterated that Biden has met with a neurologist a total of three times in three years, with no findings of neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s.
Despite the confirmation of Dr. Cannard’s visits, the White House emphasized that Biden is not being treated for Parkinson’s and is not taking medication typically used for the disorder. The press secretary declined to disclose specific details of Dr. Cannard’s visits, citing privacy concerns. Dr. Cannard, who has worked in a supporting role to the White House Medical Unit for over a decade, did not respond to requests for comment on his visits.
In light of the ongoing speculation, the White House continues to stress the importance of privacy and confidentiality regarding medical matters. The debates surrounding Dr. Cannard’s visits raise questions about the transparency of White House medical procedures and the intricacies of protecting the President’s health information. As the administration navigates these inquiries, the focus remains on ensuring the President’s well-being while upholding standards of privacy and professionalism in medical care at the White House.