Trump’s Surgeon General Nominee Faces Scrutiny Over Vaccine Views & ‘MAHA’ Movement
The “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement, fueled by dissatisfaction with mainstream medicine, found itself at a pivotal moment on , as Casey Means faced a Senate hearing regarding her nomination to be the next U.S. Surgeon General.
Means, described as an “entrepreneurial wellness influencer” and no longer a practicing physician, had her initial confirmation hearing scheduled for last October but went into labor just hours before it was to begin. She opened today’s hearing by referencing her recent motherhood, framing it within the tenets of the MAHA movement and emphasizing a call for “wholeness” in health.
“Nothing is more urgent than restoring wholeness for Americans — physically, mentally, and societally,” Means stated. “We are now the most chronically ill high-income nation in the world. I have been asked to help our nation get healthy and answer the call of millions — especially mothers — who are begging for transparency and support. That is what I am here to do.”
Means expressed support for initiatives championed by President Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., including increased access to “whole, healthy food,” addressing financial conflicts of interest within government agencies, funding research focused on disease prevention and reversal, and ensuring accountability of institutions through measurable health outcomes. Notably, she omitted a previously included goal of “reducing harmful chemical exposure” from her prepared remarks.
The hearing quickly turned to the contentious issue of vaccines. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) expressed concern over the “promotion of vaccine skepticism,” while Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) was more direct, accusing Secretary Kennedy and the Trump administration of spreading “dangerous conspiracy theories” that hinder efforts to protect children from preventable diseases. Sanders questioned how such actions could contribute to a healthier America.
Senator Cassidy initially focused his questioning on reproductive health issues, specifically mifepristone and oral contraceptives. Means affirmed her support for accessible oral contraception, emphasizing the importance of informed patient-physician conversations regarding risks and benefits.
When pressed on the measles vaccine, Cassidy asked if Means would encourage other mothers to vaccinate their children with the MMR vaccine, given the potential loss of the nation’s measles elimination status. Means responded by echoing Kennedy’s emphasis on “shared decision making,” stating she supports vaccination but believes each parent needs to discuss the matter with their pediatrician.
Regarding the flu vaccine, Means again stressed the importance of informed consent and patient-physician dialogue before any medication is administered. The questioning then moved to the widely debunked link between vaccines and autism.
Means acknowledged the increasing prevalence of autism, describing it as a “devastating” crisis for many families. She stated that the medical community does not yet understand the causes of autism and that the administration has committed significant funding to research potential environmental factors, advocating for a comprehensive investigation of all possible contributing factors.
Senator Murray challenged Means on previous statements suggesting women were taking birth control pills “like candy.”
The role of the Surgeon General, it was noted, primarily involves overseeing the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and serving as the government’s spokesperson on public health matters.
Secretary Kennedy’s support for Means and her brother, Calley Means, dates back to , when Calley joined the Trump transition team and later became a senior advisor at the White House. The Means siblings have faced criticism for questioning established medical practices, including opposing bans on raw milk, expressing reservations about in vitro fertilization, and objecting to the birth control pill.
Means has not publicly disavowed Kennedy’s views on vaccines, but has echoed his call for further research into the potential impact of combined childhood vaccine doses. She has also questioned the routine administration of the hepatitis B vaccine to newborns, a practice implemented to reduce chronic infection and liver damage. A recent advisory committee, now populated with members sharing Kennedy’s vaccine skepticism, voted to recommend delaying the timing of this vaccination.
These positions have raised concerns among public health groups. Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, described Means as an unqualified “wellness influencer and lifestyle blogger,” stating, “This is a doctor, after all, who literally advises people not to trust their doctors.”
In her opening statement, Means highlighted her academic credentials, including her M.D. From Stanford Medical School. She explained that she left her surgical residency to pursue functional medicine, a holistic approach to care focused on identifying the root causes of illness. She now serves as editor of the International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention, which she described as a “medical journal focused on prevention and disease reversal.”
Means also referenced Levels, the health-tech company she co-founded, which combines a behavior-tracking app with continuous glucose monitors, stating it “empowers individuals with metabolic health data to address blood sugar dysregulation.” She characterized diabetes as “cellular energy collapse” and a drain on human potential. She remains listed as chief medical officer of Levels, and her potential need to divest from the company if confirmed as Surgeon General remains unclear.
Concluding her remarks, Means emphasized the importance of addressing preventable chronic disease, honoring the body’s connection to the environment, and restoring America to a path of “wholeness and health.” She underscored the need for a national healing effort, acknowledging the interconnectedness of mental and physical health and the unsustainable trajectory of the current healthcare system.