Trump Nominates Dr. Casey Means as Surgeon General
In May, President Donald Trump put forward the nomination of Dr. Casey Means for the position of Surgeon General. Means, who holds degrees from Stanford and has established herself as a tech entrepreneur, has been vocal about the healthcare system’s exploitative practices. Trump praised her qualifications, stating that she possesses “impeccable MAHA credentials” and will work alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to tackle the chronic disease epidemic and promote greater health for Americans.
Concerns arose during Means’ recent nomination hearing, particularly regarding her stance on vaccines and other lucrative medical interventions. Chairman Bill Cassidy from Louisiana highlighted an ongoing distrust regarding vaccines, fueled by misinformation linking them to autism.
“The devil is in the details,” he remarked, referencing his substantial campaign contributions from the medical and pharmaceutical sectors.
He directly questioned Means about her views on whether vaccines, either individually or collectively, contribute to autism. Means reiterated her belief that vaccines can indeed “save lives,” while also acknowledging the ongoing autism crisis affecting many families. “As a medical community, we do not know what causes autism,” she stated, emphasizing the need for further investigation into increasing rates of autism in children. Cassidy quickly pointed out that extensive evidence suggests vaccines are not a contributing factor.
While Means recognized that there’s evidence on both sides of the argument, she insisted that “the science is never settled.”
Senator Bernie Sanders brought up similar concerns, reflecting on the allegations that vaccines might cause autism—claims that have been firmly addressed and negated by scientific research. In a past campaign, Sanders had also faced challenges concerning his funding connections with the pharmaceutical industry.
Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester from Delaware zeroed in on the hepatitis B vaccine. This vaccine was previously recommended for all American children but is now advised on an individual basis, raising ethical questions about its availability.
Means suggested that the push for immediate hepatitis B vaccination at birth may have been misguided. In response to concerns about withholding life-saving vaccines, she responded, “I don’t think Dr. Jay Bhattacharya or HHS is interested in withholding vaccines,” though she reiterated, “The devil is in the details.”
Democratic Senator Patty Murray challenged Means on her previous criticisms of hormonal contraceptives, expressing concerns about a potential link to cervical cancer. Means remarked that while hormonal birth control should be accessible to all women, they must consult with their doctors about their individual risks of side effects.
During her nomination announcement, Kennedy mentioned his hopes that Means’ tenure would result in healthier children in America, stating, “She will be the best Surgeon General in American history.”
