Dr. Casey Means’ Upcoming Senate Hearing: A Closer Look
Dr. Casey Means is set to appear before the Senate health committee this Wednesday, seeking approval to become the next U.S. Surgeon General. This confirmation hearing was pushed from last October when she unexpectedly went into labor. At just 38, Means intends to share her vision for tackling chronic diseases through lifestyle and dietary changes. Her ideas align with recent shifts in public health strategies, moving away from controversial vaccine policies toward healthier eating as the midterms approach.
If confirmed, Means would take on a vital role. The Surgeon General provides guidance on public health issues and can issue advisories to warn against health threats. She would also support the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, which aims to eliminate harmful additives from food, resolve conflicts of interest in health agencies, and promote nutritious school lunches.
However, Means may face scrutiny about her qualifications. Critics point out her lack of government experience and the fact that her medical license is currently inactive. After earning her degree from Stanford, she left her surgical residency program in 2018, citing a desire to reform a healthcare system she considered flawed. This change led her to explore alternative medicine, focusing on the health challenges posed by poor nutrition and the prevalence of ultraprocessed foods.
Means has ventured into the tech world with her nutrition and wellness app, Levels, which helps individuals track their health metrics and offer insights from blood tests. Her financial dealings have raised eyebrows too. She has earned hundreds of thousands of dollars promoting various health products without fully disclosing her potential profit from these endorsements.
An ethics filing submitted ahead of her nomination states that she will resign from her roles with Levels and another wellness company if confirmed. She plans to forfeit stock options and avoid investments in any FDA-prohibited companies.
Despite her innovative ideas around health, doubts linger. Former Surgeons General, including Dr. Rich Carmona, have expressed concerns regarding her qualifications. Dr. Jerome Adams, another former Surgeon General, highlighted that the role requires a medical license, something Means currently does not possess.
Interestingly, Means is not the only one in her family making waves in the health sector. Her brother, Calley Means, is a senior adviser at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, advocating against ultraprocessed foods.
In today’s health landscape, where awareness of nutrition and lifestyle choices is more crucial than ever, the outcome of Dr. Means’ confirmation hearing could carry significant implications for public health policy in the U.S.
For more on the evolving health policies, you can read the latest insights from the CDC or explore findings from Harvard Health.
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