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Confirmation hearing scrutinizes Casey Means' qualifications
President Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. surgeon general, Casey Means, endured hours of intense questioning Wednesday from Democratic and Republican lawmakers over her stance on vaccines, medical credentials, and potential conflicts of interest.
Controversial background and licensing concerns
Unlike previous surgeons general, the 38-year-old Stanford-trained physician does not hold an active medical license. Means, a former surgeon-in-training who left her residency early, explained she allowed her license to lapse into "inactive" status since she no longer treats patients. She argued the license isn't necessary for the role, though the position oversees public health officers who must maintain active, unrestricted credentials.
Means has gained prominence as a leader in the Make America Healthy Again movement, championed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Her book, Good Energy, advocates for natural foods, exercise, and lifestyle changes to improve health. However, her past promotion of controversial health views-including skepticism of childhood vaccination schedules-drew sharp criticism during the hearing.
Allegations of undisclosed sponsorships and ethical concerns
Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) accused Means of violating Federal Trade Commission (FTC) policies by failing to disclose financial ties to companies whose products she promoted as a health influencer. Murphy cited documents submitted to the committee, alleging Means received compensation from corporate sponsors without proper transparency.
Means denied the allegations, calling the evidence "incorrect" and "a false representation." She stated she had been cleared by the Office of Government Ethics after a months-long review and signed a letter committing to divest from her business interests if confirmed.
Vaccine stance sparks heated debate
Lawmakers repeatedly pressed Means on her views about vaccines, particularly childhood immunizations. When asked whether she would advocate for universal vaccination against measles, hepatitis B, and influenza, she avoided direct answers, emphasizing instead the need for individualized medical decisions.
"I believe vaccines save lives. I believe that vaccines are a key part of any infectious disease public health strategy."
Casey Means
However, she later suggested that not all children require the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, contradicting the American Association of Pediatrics' recommendation for vaccination within 24 hours of delivery. Means had previously called the practice "absolute insanity" for newborns of parents without hepatitis B.
Autism and contraception under scrutiny
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a physician, questioned Means about her stance on vaccines and autism. While she acknowledged scientific consensus that vaccines do not cause autism, she stated, "Science is never settled," and called for further investigation into rising autism rates.
Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) challenged Means on past statements about contraceptive pills, which Means had described as "a disrespect of life" and linked to "horrifying health risks." Means clarified that she supports access to contraception and mifepristone (the abortion pill) but stressed the importance of informed consent, citing risks like blood clots for certain women.
Next steps in confirmation process
The Senate committee is expected to vote on Means' nomination soon. If approved, her nomination will proceed to the full Senate for consideration. As surgeon general, Means would oversee national health advisories and report directly to Health Secretary Kennedy, who has overseen significant changes to vaccine recommendations and public health policies.
