President Biden Heads to Walter Reed for Annual Physical Examination
By Kelly O’Donnell and Rebecca Shabad — NBC News
President Joe Biden was scheduled to undergo his annual routine physical examination at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Wednesday morning. The White House expects to release a written summary of the results later in the day, following standard practice. The president’s care is overseen by several doctors, led by White House doctor Kevin O’Connor.
Accompanying President Biden on his trip to Walter Reed were two assistants, Annie Tomasini, assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff, and Dilpreet Sidhu, special assistant to Biden and deputy chief of staff of the National Security Council. The assistants stated that there is no anticipated need for Biden to transfer his responsibilities while he undergoes the examination.
Former President Donald Trump and Republicans have raised concerns about Biden’s age and questioned his ability to continue serving as president. Biden has consistently maintained that he is in good health, with Democrats defending him as healthy.
Biden last underwent a routine physical examination in February 2023, where O’Connor stated in a five-page memo that Biden “remains a healthy and vigorous 80-year-old man, who is able to successfully execute the duties of the presidency.” Biden, now 81 years old, had a small lesion removed from his chest for biopsy during the previous examination, in addition to being asymptomatic for atrial fibrillation.
O’Connor also noted that Biden was taking medication for cholesterol and suffered from acid reflux, which explains why the president is occasionally heard clearing his throat. The results of President Biden’s current physical examination are eagerly awaited and will be shared with the public later in the day.