Dr. Casey Means, a prominent wellness influencer and President Donald Trump’s nominee for surgeon general, is poised to face a rigorous questioning session from Democrats during her confirmation hearing scheduled for Thursday. Her nomination has drawn attention due to her connections with Levels Health, Inc., a wellness company she co-founded, and her promotion of health supplements online, which may raise potential conflict of interest concerns.
Means, who famously left her surgical residency program in Oregon due to disillusionment with traditional medical practices, has promised to divest from her company and cease promotions of wellness products if confirmed. However, members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) have indicated that they will scrutinize her past and potentially current financial ties to wellness companies.
In a letter addressed to Means, Senators Andy Kim and Elizabeth Warren expressed their concerns, questioning her ability to prioritize public health over personal financial interests. They highlighted the implications her connections might have on the integrity of health advice from the Surgeon General’s office.
Means has responded to inquiries about her potential conflicts assertively, even referencing former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s earnings during the pandemic without facing similar scrutiny during his confirmation. This comparison has stirred further dialogue among senators regarding the standards applied to nominees.
While Democrats express apprehension about Means’ priorities, some Republican senators, including Bill Cassidy and Tommy Tuberville, have publicly supported her nomination, emphasizing her medical expertise and the need for a fresh perspective in addressing America’s health challenges. Cassidy has called for a productive hearing focused on transparency in health institutions, echoing sentiments of restoring public trust.
Despite mixed reactions among members of the HELP Committee, there have been indications of a supportive discussion from some senators, including John Hickenlooper, who appreciated her unique background and expressed willingness to engage with her insights.
As Means approaches her confirmation hearing, she remains focused on her public health agenda, seeking to address the challenges facing health care systems in the country while navigating the political landscape of her nomination process. The upcoming hearing will be crucial in determining whether Means can align her professional interests with the responsibilities of the office she seeks.