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Morning Briefing

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Monday, Nov 22 2021

Full Issue

Biden's Doctors Declare He Is 'Healthy, Vigorous' And Fit For Duty

The president underwent a physical on Friday. His doctors say he is fine but noted that he has arthritis in his spine, some feet problems and gastroesophageal reflux that causes frequent coughing.

President Joe Biden is 鈥渉ealthy鈥 and remains 鈥渇it to successfully execute the duties of the presidency,鈥 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 鈥減erceptibly stiffer and less fluid鈥 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鈥機onnor. And his exam found mild nerve damage in the president鈥檚 feet, prompting them to suggest he be fitted with orthotics.聽(Epstein and Sink, 11/19)

The White House released Joe Biden's health summary Friday 鈥 describing an active president who is "fit for duty" 鈥 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)

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鈥檚 history. Twitter was abuzz Friday when the news broke. 鈥淰ice 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,鈥 tweeted author and political commentator Keith Boykin. (Andersen, 11/19)

This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
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