Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Doctor Credits Genetics For Trump's 'Excellent' Health, Dismisses Concerns Over Cognitive Decline
The New York Times: Trump Has Perfect Cognitive Test Score, White House Physician Says
President Trump’s White House physician said Tuesday that the president received a perfect score on a cognitive test designed to screen for neurological impairment, which the military doctor said was evidence that Mr. Trump does not suffer from mental issues that prevent him from functioning in office. “I’ve found no reason whatsoever to think the president has any issues whatsoever with his thought processes,” Dr. Ronny L. Jackson, a rear admiral in the Navy and the White House physician, told reporters on Tuesday. (Shear and Altman, 1/16)
Los Angeles Times: White House Doctor Says Trump Scored Perfect Marks On Cognitive Test, Needs To Lose Weight
"There's no indication whatsoever that he has any cognitive issues," Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, the chief White House doctor, whose tenure treating presidents began with George W. Bush, told reporters during a lengthy White House briefing. "He's very sharp. He's very articulate when he speaks to me." "Absolutely, he's fit for duty," Jackson said. Jackson also said Trump should try to lose 10-15 pounds — he's at the borderline of obesity — and added that he's trying to encourage the president to start an exercise routine, perhaps with some help from First Lady Melania Trump. (Bierman, 1/16)
The Hill: WH Doctor: Trump In 'Excellent' Health, Mentally Fit For Office
The exam tests for cognitive disorders, like Alzheimer's disease, that can occur in older patients. It asks people to identify animals, draw shapes and recall certain words. It is not a psychological evaluation. Trump scored a 30 out of 30, Jackson said, a score he said should put to rest questions about Trump’s mental fitness. (Fabian and Kamisar, 1/16)
The Washington Post: Trump Did Exceedingly Well On A Cognitive Test, Top White House Doctor Says
Trump’s critics have recently questioned his mental fitness — an issue that gained attention in recent weeks over such things as the president’s belligerent tweets about North Korea. Trump further inflamed the debate earlier this month when he lashed out at his detractors on Twitter and claimed he is a “very stable genius” while touting his accomplishments. Jackson said Trump requested a cognitive exam to put the issue of his mental fitness to rest. (Johnson and Bernstein, 1/16)
NPR: Ronny Jackson: The White House Doctor Who Oversaw Trump's Physical
The presentation was both folksy and matter-of-fact, as Jackson described the president's eyesight, cognitive skills and heart function as excellent, despite Trump's lack of exercise and fondness for fast food. "It's called genetics," Jackson said. "Some people have just great genes. I told the president that if he had a healthier diet over the last 20 years he might live to be 200 years old." (Horsley, 1/16)
Politico: The Media Poke And Prod At Trump’s Health
Plenty of important questions were posed Tuesday to Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, President Donald Trump’s personal physician, during his nearly hourlong briefing on Trump’s health. But the longer it went on, the more opportunity it gave reporters to exhaust every question they could think of — leading some on the right to paint the media as unwilling to accept that the president is in good health. Donald Trump Jr. weighed in on Twitter, saying, “Watching media trying to ask the Rear Admiral Jackson (The White House Dr) questions in ways that leaves an opening to attack @realDonaldTrump's health after an amazing report, cognitive & otherwise, is like watching Dumb & Dumber 1:1,000,000 ‘So you're saying there's a chance!’” (Schwartz, 1/16)
Bloomberg: Trump Passes Cognitive Screen And Is ‘Fit For Duty,’ Doctor Says
Jackson said he’s recommended the president eat less fat and carbohydrates and that he exercise regularly. Jackson said he increased Trump’s dose of a medicine to control cholesterol, AstraZeneca PLC’s Crestor, and he said Trump takes daily aspirin, a multivitamin and hair-loss drug Propecia. (Pettypiece, 1/16)
Politico: Trump's 2018 Physical Exam Results
The following is a memo released by Dr. Ronny Jackson, physician to the president, on Tuesday: President Donald J. Trump has completed his first periodic physical examination as President of the United States. I performed and supervised the examination with appropriate specialty consultations and diagnostic testing. The exam was conducted January 12, 2018 at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. (1/16)
