Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Biden's Doctors Declare He Is 'Healthy, Vigorous' And Fit For Duty
Bloomberg: Biden’s Doctors Say He’s ‘Healthy’ But Suffers Stiff Gait
President Joe Biden is “healthy” and remains “fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency,” his doctors said Friday after he underwent a routine physical exam and colonoscopy just a day before his 79th birthday. But the president is suffering from a “perceptibly stiffer and less fluid” gait following a series of injuries and is experiencing a more frequent need to clear his throat or cough during public engagements, according to his physician, Kevin O’Connor. And his exam found mild nerve damage in the president’s feet, prompting them to suggest he be fitted with orthotics. (Epstein and Sink, 11/19)
Politico: Biden 'Fit For Duty' After Harris Is Temporarily Granted Powers During Medical Procedure
The White House released Joe Biden's health summary Friday — describing an active president who is "fit for duty" — hours after presidential power was temporarily transferred to Kamala Harris while Biden underwent a colonoscopy under anesthesia. The vice president worked from her West Wing office at the White House while the president underwent the procedure during his annual physical at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, press secretary Jen Psaki said. (Niedzwiadek and Ward, 11/19)
The Boston Globe: Vice President Harris Makes History Today As The First Acting Female President While Biden Undergoes Brief Medical Procedure
President Biden was temporarily unable to carry out his duties Friday when he went under anesthesia for a medical procedure, so Vice President Kamala Harris briefly assumed the duties of president, making her the first woman to formally hold the job in the nation’s history. Twitter was abuzz Friday when the news broke. “Vice President Kamala Harris will become the first woman in American history with presidential powers today as President Biden transfers powers to her while he is under anesthesia for a routine colonoscopy,” tweeted author and political commentator Keith Boykin. (Andersen, 11/19)
