Navy sailor punished for trying to access Biden's medical records

A U.S. Navy service member was punished after repeatedly searching the name 'Joseph Biden' in an electronic database of military medical records. The incident happened this February, just a week after Biden received his annual physical, in what the White House says is among the three times he has been evaluated by a neurologist.

News of the breach comes as congressional Democrats are huddling in search of a definitive way forward after lawmakers have openly questioned Biden's fitness as a candidate after his disastrous debate performance in Atlanta. 'On February 26, 2024, Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Fort Belvoir was notified of an unauthorized access to medical records by an active-duty service member," according to a U.S. Navy statement.

'A Sailor assigned to NMRTC Fort Belvoir searched the name "Joseph Biden" in MHS Genesis, the Military Health System's electronic health record, out of curiosity. A co-worker reported the Sailor's breach of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).' The move begat a probe by the The Naval Criminal Investigative Service, which found the sailor did not gain access to Biden's records, ABC reported.

The search out of 'curiosity' came after White House physician Dr. Kevin O'Connor issued his report concluding 'President Biden is a healthy, active, robust, 81-year-old male who remains fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency ' following a visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He said Biden 'continues to be fit for duty.

The White House on Tuesday continued to face questions about its own response following revelations that Dr. Kevin Cannard, a neurology expert at Walter Reed, met with O'Connor on at least one occasion and made a series of visits to the White House over a period of years.

The White House on Monday released a letter from O'Connor finally describing the purpose of Cannard's visits. ''Prior to the pandemic, and following its end, he has held regular neurology clinics at the White House Medical Clinic in support of the thousands of active-duty members assigned in support of White House operation,' according to the letter.

'I said right here that the president was not being treated for Parkinson's,' White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at the White House. She also said Dr. Cannard was a 'general neurologist' and not just a Parkinson's expert. 'We just wanted to set the record straight.' The letter came after Jean-Pierre refused to confirm information about Dr. Cannard's visits, citing privacy concerns.

A handful of Democrats have publicly called for Biden to step back, forcing the president to engage in a series of public events to try to prove his mettle. 'He is seemingly very determined and unequivocal, emphatic,' said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), who continues to support Biden.

Knowing Joe Biden and watching him, there's no question in my mind - none - he is determined to stay in this race,' Blumenthal told DailyMail.com.

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