Yesterday, the House Oversight Committee conducted a deposition of Dr. Kevin O’Connor, the former Physician to President Joe Biden, as part of an investigation into potential cover-ups regarding the President’s physical and mental health. Committee Chair James Comer subpoenaed O’Connor after he declined to participate voluntarily in a transcribed interview. The probe has been described as unprecedented, with O’Connor’s lawyers expressing concerns about the breach of patient confidentiality.
Despite objections from O’Connor’s legal team, the deposition proceeded after President Trump waived executive privilege for O’Connor’s work as Physician to the President. During the deposition, O’Connor declined to answer any questions, citing the protection of doctor-patient confidentiality and invoking his Fifth Amendment rights. This decision was met with criticism from Chairman Comer, who accused O’Connor of participating in a cover-up of President Biden’s cognitive decline.
Dr. Kevin O’Connor has an extensive background in military medicine, with 22 years of service in the U.S. Army medical corps, including deployments with Special Operations units. He served as Physician to the Vice President during the Obama administration before returning to the White House as Physician to President Biden. O’Connor’s commitment to patient confidentiality aligns with the principles outlined in the Hippocratic Oath, which emphasizes the importance of maintaining the privacy of patient information.
The role of a White House physician is to protect the health of the President and provide medical care to members of the administration. Upholding patient confidentiality is a fundamental aspect of the physician-patient relationship, and any breach of this trust could have far-reaching consequences. By standing firm in his refusal to disclose confidential information, Dr. O’Connor has demonstrated his dedication to the ethical standards of the medical profession.
WarDocs, a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the legacy of Military Medicine, provided insight into Dr. O’Connor’s background and commitment to preserving the oral history of military healthcare professionals. The views expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any past or current employer.
