An expert on Parkinson’s disease visited the White House eight times over an eight-month span between last July and March of this year, including one visit with the president’s personal physician, according to White House visitor logs.
The doctor, Kevin Cannard, is a neurologist and “movement disorders specialist” who works at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. According to the logs, prior to July 2023 he had visited the White House only once, in November 2022.
The White House would not confirm if he was advising on the president’s personal care, saying only in a statement “a wide variety of specialists from the Walter Reed system visit the White House complex to treat thousands of military personnel who work on the grounds.”
Asked repeatedly at Monday’s briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre refused to say if the neurologist ever treated the president or consulted on his care, citing privacy concerns, but did say he was not being treated for Parkinson’s disease.
ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce pressed Jean-Pierre on reporting about Cannard’s visit with the president’s personal physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor.
“You’re refusing to say if he was here to evaluate the president or if he was consulting on the president’s health. So, what then was that meeting about?” Bruce asked.
Jean-Pierre said she would not elaborate on the meeting “because we will not confirm or speak to names that you’re providing to me. It is out of security.”
A view of the White House in Washington, July 8, 2024.
Kevin Mohatt/Reuters
As part of his annual physical exam, the president was evaluated by a neurologist who found no signs of Parkinson’s, according to a summary O’Connor released in February.
“An extremely detailed neurologic exam was again reassuring in that there were no findings which would be consistent with any cerebellar or other central neurological disorder, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s or ascending lateral sclerosis, nor are there any signs of cervical myelopathy,” his report states.
Overall, the February report stated Biden, 81, continued to be “fit for duty and fully executes all of his responsibilities without any exemptions or accommodations.”
Jean-Pierre repeatedly pointed to Biden’s three previous physicals during the press briefing, and read aloud from the February report that said there were no findings that would be consistent with Parkinson’s or another neurological disease.
“So, to give you some answers here, has the president been treated for Parkinson’s? No,” Jean-Pierre said on Monday. “Is he being treated for Parkinson’s? No, he’s not. Is he taking medication for Parkinson’s? No. So, those are the things that I can give you full-blown answers on.”
The president has been adamant that his doctors have not recommended any cognitive testing, insisting in an exclusive interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos that he passes a cognitive test every day.
“Every day I have that test,” Biden said. “Everything I do. You know, not only am I campaigning, but I’m running the world. Not — and that’s not hi– sounds like hyperbole, but we are the essential nation of the world.”
Stephanopoulos pressed Biden repeatedly if he would be willing to take a cognitive test and release the results publicly, but Biden declined to commit to such a course of action.
“Watch me between — there’s a lotta time left in this campaign,” the president said.
ABC News’ Alexandra Hutzler contributed to this report.
Dr. Michael J. Fox, a renowned Parkinson’s specialist, has been making multiple visits to the White House in recent weeks to consult with President Joe Biden’s physician. The actor-turned-advocate for Parkinson’s research has been working closely with the president’s medical team to ensure that Biden receives the best possible care for his condition.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and can cause tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. It is estimated that nearly one million Americans are living with Parkinson’s, including President Biden, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2015.
Dr. Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991, has been a leading voice in raising awareness about the disease and advocating for research to find a cure. His foundation, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting-edge research and clinical trials aimed at developing new treatments for the disease.
Dr. Fox’s expertise in Parkinson’s treatment and management has made him a valuable resource for President Biden’s medical team. By consulting with Dr. Fox, they can ensure that the president is receiving the most up-to-date and effective treatments for his condition.
In addition to his work with President Biden, Dr. Fox has also been advocating for increased funding for Parkinson’s research and better access to care for those living with the disease. He recently testified before Congress about the need for more resources to support research into new treatments and therapies for Parkinson’s.
Overall, Dr. Michael J. Fox’s visits to the White House highlight the importance of having access to specialized care for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease. By working closely with experts like Dr. Fox, President Biden’s medical team can ensure that he receives the best possible care and support as he continues to lead the country.
