Wellness influencer Dr. Casey Means faced intense scrutiny during her Surgeon General confirmation hearing, answering tough questions on vaccines and birth control while addressing concerns about her qualifications and potential conflicts of interest.
NEW YORK (AP) — Wellness influencer, author and entrepreneur Dr. Casey Means on Wednesday shared a vision for addressing the root causes of chronic disease instead of feeding into “reactive sick care” during her confirmation hearing to become the nation’s next surgeon general. But Means also faced tough questions from senators about topics that have become divisive in recent years, such as vaccines and hormonal birth control, as well as about her qualifications and potential conflicts. The Stanford-educated physician’s disillusionment with traditional medicine drove her to a career in which she has promoted various products, at times without disclosing how she could benefit financially. She has no government experience, and her license to practice as a physician is not currently active. “I have very serious questions about the ability of Dr. Means to be the kind of surgeon general this country needs,” Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, the ranking member of the Senate health committee, said Wednesday. Next, the committee will consider whether to advance Means’ nomination, in which case it would go to a vote in the full Senate. Dr. Casey Means testifies during a Senate Health, Education Labor and Pension Committee confirmation hearing for U.S. Surgeon General on Capitol Hill Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)
