In a recent statement, the White House provided clarification regarding a meeting that took place between White House physician Dr. Kevin O'Connor and neurological and Parkinson's disease expert Dr. Kevin Cannard. The meeting, which occurred on January 17th, was initially described by press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre as unrelated to care for President Biden. However, the White House now states that the meeting was actually a neurological exam conducted on the President, with the results being reported as part of his annual physical over a month later.

During a White House press briefing, a reporter from The Associated Press questioned the nature of Dr. Cannard's meeting with Dr. O'Connor, prompting Jean-Pierre to state that it was not related to the President's care. She had previously confirmed the occurrence of three meetings and referred to the doctor as a neurologist without revealing Cannard's name, stating that permission from both Cannard and the President was required before sharing that information.

Jean-Pierre later explained that the confusion arose from the question not specifying the date. Nonetheless, visitor logs indicate that the January 17th meeting was the only recorded encounter between the two doctors from July 2023 to this past March, a period that has come under scrutiny due to Cannard's eight visits to the White House during that timeframe.

To address the confusion, Jean-Pierre proactively reached out to The Associated Press, providing the necessary information and confirming that the President had seen Dr. Cannard three times, always for his physical examinations, with the findings from each exam being made available to the public.

This incident of clarification follows similar instances where the White House had to provide additional information regarding the President's health. Last week, Jean-Pierre initially stated that Biden did not receive a medical check-up after exhibiting symptoms of a cold during a debate in June. However, Biden later revealed that he had consulted his doctor after the debate. Jean-Pierre clarified that the President had not undergone a full medical examination but had a routine "check-in" with his doctor.

Furthermore, the White House released a statement from Dr. O'Connor on Monday night, detailing the purpose of Cannard's visits to the White House. The statement confirmed that Cannard, who has been the neurology consultant to the White House medical unit for twelve years, had conducted neurological exams on Biden during his three physicals as President.

Importantly, Jean-Pierre emphasized that Biden has not been treated for Parkinson's disease, nor is he currently taking any medication for it. She also highlighted that parts of the President's annual physical can be performed over an extended period at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, rather than exclusively within a single day.

The presence of Cannard in the White House visitor logs had drawn attention due to his expertise in movement disorders like Parkinson's disease. However, the White House reiterated that the President is not being treated for the condition.

As the White House continues its efforts to provide accurate information, Jean-Pierre expressed her commitment to transparency and acknowledged that mistakes can be made when sharing information. She emphasized the press team's dedication to providing the information they have but also acknowledged instances where the team may lack certain details.

In conclusion, the White House clarified that the meeting between Dr. O'Connor and Dr. Cannard was indeed a neurological exam conducted on President Biden and that subsequent exams have shown no signs of Parkinson's or other central neurological disorders. Through ongoing efforts, the White House aims to ensure transparency and accuracy in sharing information about the President's health.