Dr. Kevin O’Connor, who served as President Joe Biden’s physician during his time in office, will testify next month before a House committee investigating the former president’s cognitive health.

Congressional scrutiny of Biden’s mental fitness and White House health practices has prompted a subpoena for his longtime doctor, who is set to testify in a July hearing before the House Oversight Committee, as The Hill reports.

O’Connor is scheduled to appear on July 9 before the Republican-led House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The panel is pursuing an investigation into Biden’s cognitive abilities and his use of an autopen for signing official documents during his presidency.

Subpoena follows interview refusal

The appearance follows a subpoena issued by Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY) after O’Connor’s legal counsel declined a prior request for a voluntary interview. Comer issued the subpoena in June, citing a desire to ensure accurate information was conveyed to the public about Biden’s health.

According to committee communications, Comer first requested a transcribed interview with O’Connor earlier this year. The doctor declined, citing legal constraints involving physician-patient confidentiality, specifically referencing an ethics code that prevents medical disclosure without patient consent.

In a letter dated late May, Comer said the committee’s goal was to understand whether any undue influence affected public health statements and whether Biden’s health disclosures withheld important facts. He emphasized the public’s right to receive clear and accurate assessments about the president’s condition.

Attention on Biden decline continues to grow

The inquiry into O’Connor comes amid heightened public attention surrounding Biden’s health in the final phase of his presidency. Recent publications have contributed to the scrutiny by detailing health challenges, including a diagnosis of aggressive prostate cancer.

Biden’s use of an autopen -- an automated signature device commonly utilized for signing paperwork -- has also come under examination, with investigators aiming to determine whether it may have been used excessively or inappropriately during times of potential health impairment.

The White House has denied any allegations of cognitive decline during Biden’s tenure. Both the former president and first lady Jill Biden have rejected suggestions that his capacity to serve was affected by mental or physical issues.

Medical records, reports scrutinized

O’Connor has been Biden’s personal physician since his term as vice president under the Obama administration and resumed the role when Biden entered the White House in 2021. Throughout his tenure, O’Connor has provided annual health updates regarding the president’s state of well-being.

The most recent physical examination, dated February 2024, concluded that Biden was healthy and met the demands of the presidency. In the published report, O’Connor stated Biden was “fit for duty” and able “to fully execute all of his responsibilities without any exemptions or accommodations.”

This health statement is likely to be a focal point during the July deposition, as lawmakers look to assess whether information presented at the time accurately reflected the president’s actual capabilities and medical status.

Longstanding relationship under microscope

The committee’s review may also scrutinize how O’Connor’s long-standing relationship with the president could have impacted the framing and timing of medical assessments released publicly. Having served Biden for years, O’Connor’s role in shaping the narrative around his health is a particular area of interest for the panel.

Lawmakers are expected to ask whether political pressure, public image concerns, or other external factors played a role in the development or release of medical evaluations. The committee has emphasized that it does not wish to violate medical privacy but wants to determine if any communications about Biden’s health were misleading or incomplete.

This deposition is part of a broader Oversight Committee investigation into the health and accountability standards for sitting presidents. It is unclear whether additional witnesses will be called or whether O’Connor’s testimony may lead to further subpoenas or legislative actions.