Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Perspectives On Candidates' Health As A Campaign Issue
The New York Times: Full Disclosure On Candidates’ Health
As President Obama’s graying hair suggests, the American presidency is perhaps the most grueling and stressful political job there is. This year, both major party candidates for that job are past the nation’s customary retirement age. And while submitting health records is not a requirement for the job, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump would be doing American voters a great service by furnishing a much clearer picture of their physical health than the abbreviated and sunny reports provided so far. (9/12)
The Washington Post: If Clinton Or Trump Were Too Sick To Be President, We’d Already Know It
Calls are growing for an independent panel of physicians to evaluate the health of candidates, as is the suggestion that unedited medical records be available for public review. Before either option gains more traction, however, it’s worth asking where they might lead us. (David Brown, 9/12)
Politico: How Hillary’s Stumble Empowered The 'Healthers'
Hillary Clinton has Parkinson’s, according to one Trump supporter. Or an undisclosed “cognitive illness.” Or has just endured one too many falls and too much blood thinner. There are no numbers on just how many Americans believe Clinton is hiding a dire medical condition, but the short video of Clinton nearly collapsing and being ushered into a van on Sunday morning triggered far more than the typical concern you might expect about the well-being of a 68-year-old in a highly stressful environment. The Drudge Report's headline for nearly a day: "Will she survive?" (Diamond, 9/12)
Los Angeles Times: Yes, Hillary Clinton's Health Is A Valid Issue
For weeks, the official position of the chattering classes was that any inquiry into Clinton’s health was “sexist.” ... On Tuesday, Clinton herself was asked if discussion of her health was sexist. She replied with a long, ironic, “hmmmmmm” that typified her gift for political subtlety and nuance. The same day, the Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza asked, dyspeptically, “Can we just stop talking about Hillary Clinton’s health now?” Five days later, after Clinton’s near collapse at ground zero, he declared, “Hillary Clinton’s health just became a real issue in the presidential campaign.” (Jonah Goldberg, 9/12)
Reuters: How The 'Sub-News' Jungle Drums Drive The Clinton Health Rumors
Here’s what you know about Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s health because you saw it, or read about it, in the news: She is suffering from a case of walking pneumonia that caused her to wilt in the heat on Sunday. But, wait, here’s what you may not know but others are sure of: Clinton has a severe neurological disorder. She’s suffering from a brain tumor. She has dementia. She is such a sick woman that she isn’t likely to have the mental capability to fulfill her duties as president — should she be elected. The reason you may not know these things is that they, of course, aren’t true. (Neal Gabler, 9/13)
Seattle Times: Clinton Quietly Powers Through Illness — It’s What Women Do
What, now Hillary Clinton can’t even get sick? The presidential candidate stumbled to her car after visiting the 9/11 Memorial on Sunday, saying she felt “overheated.” In the process, she set conservative speculation ablaze. She has a heart condition. She has the language disorder dysphasia. She has a stunt double. And something fell out of her leg. I haven’t seen Republicans show this much concern for a woman’s health in, well, ever. (Nicole Brodeur, 9/12)
The Des Moines Register: Clinton's Health Questions Come Down To Trust
Call the doctor, I think I’m coming down with a case of déjà vu. I probably shouldn’t have said so in print, lest someone think it’s a symptom of a brain disorder. Hillary Clinton’s health episode at the 9/11 memorial service over the weekend has cranked up another round of armchair medical diagnoses ranging from cancer to Parkinson’s disease. (Kathie Obradovich, 9/12)
