Dr. Casey Means’ Confirmation Hearing Delayed
The confirmation hearing for Dr. Casey Means, who was nominated by President Donald Trump to be the surgeon general, has been postponed because she went into labor.
At 38 years old and nine months pregnant with her first child, Means participated remotely in the hearing. Her initial remarks were prepared in advance.
In her intended speech, she discussed the frustrations surrounding public health in the U.S. “Our country is angry, exhausted, and scarred by preventable diseases,” she had written. Conditions such as high blood pressure, various cancers, autoimmune diseases, type 2 diabetes, mental health issues, dementia, and rising youth suicide rates have all seen an increase over the last two decades, she noted.
This public health crisis, she remarked, affects every family, hampering children’s potential, productivity in the workforce, and even national security. It adds strain to the federal budget and dims hopes for millions.
If confirmed, Means would take on a significant role as the nation’s physician. Her leadership could be pivotal, especially considering the administration’s goal to enhance regulation around vaccines, the food supply, pesticides, and prescription drugs.
Dr. Means, who graduated from Stanford, has gained attention as a wellness advocate after becoming disenchanted with conventional medicine. She was expected to promote a vision focused on eliminating chronic diseases by addressing their underlying causes, resonating with a health initiative campaign led by her ally, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
It’s worth noting that she lacks government experience and her medical license is currently inactive, as mentioned in reports. As of now, the new date for the hearing is still unclear.
“Everyone is happy for Dr. Means and her family,” stated Emily Hilliard, a deputy spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services. “This is one of those rare moments when it’s quite acceptable to ask for changes to a Senate hearing.”
