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Dr. Casey Means, President Donald Trump's nominee for surgeon general, had her confirmation hearing postponed after going into labor on Thursday (October 30). The hearing was initially scheduled for 11 a.m. ET, but it will be rescheduled at a later date, according to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee spokesperson.
Means, a 38-year-old Stanford-educated physician, is known for her role as a wellness influencer and co-founder of Levels Health, Inc. She left her surgical residency in 2018, citing disillusionment with traditional medicine. Her nomination has drawn scrutiny from Democrats on the HELP Committee due to her financial ties to wellness companies and her promotion of supplements online and on podcasts.
Democratic Senators, including Sen. Andy Kim and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, have raised concerns about Means' potential conflicts of interest. Warren questioned whether Means would prioritize public health over her former business interests.
In response to these concerns, Means promised in ethics filings to resign from Levels Health and cease promoting wellness products if confirmed.
Despite the postponement, Means continues to engage with Senators from both parties.
Means' vision for the role aligns with the "Make America Healthy Again" movement, which emphasizes addressing root causes of chronic diseases. However, some medical experts have criticized her lack of traditional clinical experience.
Senator Bill Cassidy, chair of the HELP Committee, expressed optimism about the upcoming hearing, stating that it will focus on Means' plans to enhance transparency and trust in health institutions.