Casey Means, Surgeon General Nominee, Sidesteps Questions on Vaccines at Senate Hearing
Dr. casey means, the wellness influencer tapped as the president's nominee for surgeon general, faced sustained questioning in a long-awaited confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill. The hearing touched on her ties to prominent figures, membership in the MAHA movement and past statements on vaccines and raw milk.
Opening details and notice
The transcript opens with a fundraising appeal reading, "Your generous monthly contribution— or whatever you can give—will help secure our future. " A notice in the record states that transcripts are machine and human generated, are lightly edited for accuracy and may contain errors. The text also lists the name William Brangham in the record.
Nomination and alliances
Dr. Means is described in the hearing materials as a popular wellness influencer and as an ally of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. She is also described as an ally of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The materials identify her as the president's nominee for surgeon general and as the U. S. Surgeon General Nominee.
Casey Means under questioning
As a prominent voice in the so-called MAHA movement, some of Dr. Means's ideas—like prioritizing natural foods, reducing pesticide use and exercising consistently—were noted in the hearing. But senators pressed her on more controversial views, including statements she has made about vaccines and the consumption of raw milk.
Exchange with Senator Bill Cassidy
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, who is identified as also being a doctor, directly questioned Means about past statements that linked vaccines to autism. Senator Cassidy asked, "Do you believe that vaccines, whether individually or collectively, contribute to autism?" Dr. Means replied, "Until we have a clear understanding of why kids are developing this at higher rates, I think we should not leave any stones unturned. " Senator Cassidy followed: "There's been a lot of evidence showing that they're not implicated. Do you not accept that evidence?" Dr. Means responded, "I do accept that evidence. I also think that science is never settled. "
Qualifications and medical credentials
The hearing record states that Dr. Means went to Stanford Medical School but did not finish her residency and does not have an active medical license. Committee members raised those facts in the course of questioning about her fitness to serve as the nation's doctor.
Vaccination stance and measles rise
In the hearing, Dr. Means said she believes vaccines save lives but, as the U. S. sees a dramatic rise in measles cases, she would not commit to recommending that vaccine. She said, "I'm supportive of vaccination. I do believe that each patient, mother or parent needs to have a conversation with their pediatrician about any medication they're putting in their body, in their children's bodies. " During questioning a senator asked: "You're the nation's doctor. Would you encourage her to have her child vaccinated?" The transcript records the exchange without a definitive commitment to recommend the measles vaccine during that moment.
The session described Dr. Means as celebrated by some as a potent fighter for the MAHA movement but also quickly pressed by members of the president's own party over her past statements and her credentials.
Unclear in the provided context are any further committee votes, deadlines or next steps following the confirmation hearing.
Closing: The hearing transcript captures the nominee's affiliations, several direct exchanges about vaccines and autism, statements about raw milk, details of Dr. Means's medical training and current licensing status, and the broader debate over her views and qualifications.
