Latest news with #Means'
Newsweek
12-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Casey Means and MAHA Remove the 'Public' From Public Health
On Wednesday, Donald Trump nominated Casey Means, a holistic doctor and wellness influencer, to be the next U.S. surgeon general. If confirmed, Means will be the first surgeon general who openly practices alternative medicine. She is an unusual candidate for surgeon general but an unsurprising one. Under an administration that is senselessly gutting science and research funding, "MAHA" priorities largely put the wellness dreams of the wealthy before public health. The Office of the Surgeon General is responsible for communicating scientific information to the public and addressing public health issues. Means' record would normally be considered antagonistic toward this fundamental goal, but Trump has praised the nominee as having "impeccable 'MAHA' credentials." Means describes herself as someone who left "traditional medicine," and has expressed health beliefs that flirt with pseudoscience and closely align with those of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Co-author of Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health and co-founder of Levels (a company that sells continuous glucose monitors), Means has peddled health claims that are questionable at best and dangerous at worst. Like other wellness influencers, she has dabbled in some Goop-esque activities, like consulting with a spiritual medium and taking part in a full moon ceremony, which are a little woo-woo but don't harm anyone else. Of greater consequence to public health is Means' skepticism of vaccines. She has also called birth control use "disrespect of life" and endorsed the supposed health benefits of raw milk. The prospect of having a surgeon general who believes such things is terrifying. Beyond the pseudoscience, Means' general orientation toward health is out of touch with the needs of average Americans. She has built her career and reputation on promoting lifestyle choices such as healthy eating and exercise. From afar, her takes may appear sensible, and at times, even compatible with sound medical advice. A healthy diet and exercise are important, but they alone do not translate to good, humane policies. Means has suggested that health issues like "depression, anxiety, infertility, heart disease, erectile dysfunction, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's dementia, [and] cancer" are "under our control and simpler than we think." Simpler for whom? An emphasis on lifestyle ultimately assigns structural and institutional problems to individual Americans to solve for themselves. In a country where wealth buys health, how many Americans can afford to insulate themselves and their families from risks of disease and disability? The federal minimum wage has been stagnant at $7.25 since 2009. Meanwhile, the cost of necessities like housing, food, and child care have increased precipitously. WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 12: U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks alongside President Donald Trump during a press conference in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on May 12,... WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 12: U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks alongside President Donald Trump during a press conference in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on May 12, 2025, in Washington, DC. MoreIn her "health wishlist" for the Trump administration, Means says we need leaders who will "inspire people to care about their health, the food they eat, and their fitness." Americans do not need inspiration. Americans need access. It is cruel to push the idea that people are unhealthy simply because they do not care. Our most urgent public health problems cannot be solved with personal empowerment and lifestyle choices. For instance, 7.2 million children live in food-insecure households. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is planning to cut $12 billion from federally funded school meal programs. Health care is also inaccessible to many Americans because, unlike many of its peer countries, the U.S. does not offer universal health coverage. Even for those who do have health insurance, coverage is often insufficient, causing many to accrue medical debt. The Trump administration has added new public health problems: the Food and Drug Administration recently suspended quality control for milk, the Department of Agriculture withdrew a proposal to reduce Salmonella in raw poultry products, and the Environmental Protection Agency has loosened restrictions on mercury pollution. Meanwhile, Kennedy continues to fuel vaccine hesitancy amid a national measles outbreak. MAHA priorities are misaligned with public health needs. Means' sunny website—where she promotes her book, recipes, and newsletters—frames good health as an individual project. Means' wish list to the Trump administration proposes actions that would address processed foods, "Big Pharma," vaccine safety, alternative medicine, and paternalistic restrictions on SNAP. It is apparent that her and Kennedy's health concerns reflect the airy worries of the rich. Their brand of health care is for people who can choose to be healthy, people with the time and money to pursue health optimization, and people comfortable enough to be fussy over food dyes. Pandering to the desires of the upper class, MAHA pushes products and services that are out of reach for the average American. The surgeon general is supposed to be the nation's doctor. Means is just an entrepreneur who peddles an expensive lifestyle. Catherine Tan is an Assistant Professor in Sociology at Vassar College. She is the author of Spaces on the Spectrum: How Autism Movements Resist Experts and Create Knowledge, published by Columbia University Press. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Trump Said New Surgeon General Pick Could Be 'One of the Finest' in History. The Next Day, He Said 'I Don't Know Her'
On Wednesday, May 7, President Donald Trump announced that he was nominating Dr. Casey Means to be the new U.S. surgeon general, replacing his initial pick. The nomination quickly drew scrutiny as Means is a wellness influencer who did not finish her medical residency and does not currently have a valid medical license. Despite touting Means' qualifications on Truth Social, Trump told reporters the following day that he doesn't know Donald Trump recently announced a change of plans in his administration, withdrawing his previous nomination of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat as surgeon general and naming her replacement. On Wednesday, May 7, the president's Truth Social account revealed his new nomination of Dr. Casey Means, a medical professional and wellness influencer, who is closely linked to the 'Make America Healthy Again' ideology espoused by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 'Casey has impeccable 'MAHA' credentials, and will work closely with our wonderful Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to ensure a successful implementation of our Agenda in order to reverse the Chronic Disease Epidemic, and ensure Great Health, in the future, for ALL Americans," Trump's post read. "Her academic achievements, together with her life's work, are absolutely outstanding.' 'Dr. Casey Means has the potential to be one of the finest Surgeon Generals in United States History," the post continued. However, less than 24 hours after Trump's Truth Social post, the president backtracked when faced with questions about Means' qualifications. On Thursday morning, an Oval Office reporter asked Trump, 'You just announced a new nominee for the U.S. surgeon general who never finished her residency and is not a practicing physician. Can you explain why you picked her to be America's top doctor?' "Because Bobby thought she was fantastic," he answered, referring to RFK Jr. "I don't know her," he added. While Means completed her undergraduate degree and medical school at Stanford University, she never finished her surgical residency. In her book, Good Energy, and in public appearances, Means has said that her residency experience left her disillusioned with the state of modern medicine. Ultimately, she did complete enough postgraduate work to qualify for a medical license in Oregon, and turned to alternative medicine. Her website purports her ultimate goal to be 'working towards a healthier and happier planet by empowering people to understand their health and the limitless potential within them.' It remains to be seen, however, if Means' nomination will hold up to congressional scrutiny — particularly given that her medical license has been inactive since January 2024, according to Oregon public records. Means clearly has a strong supporter in RFK Jr., who took to X on Thursday with a lengthy defense against Means' critics. 'The attacks that Casey is unqualified because she left the medical system completely miss the point of what we are trying to accomplish with MAHA,' he wrote. 'Casey is the perfect choice for Surgeon General precisely because she left the traditional medical system--not in spite of it.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Kennedy then accused the medical industry and media outlets of paying influencers to "vilify" Means, adding, "But it will not work." 'Every day, I wake up emboldened to drive change because I know the support of MAHA moms has my back," he wrote. "Casey has played an integral role in galvanizing these moms. She will be the best Surgeon General in American history." Read the original article on People
Miami Herald
08-05-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
Casey Means' Inactive Medical License Comes Under Scrutiny
President Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. surgeon general has sparked scrutiny online as her Oregon medical license has been inactive since 2019. While U.S. surgeons general are not required to have an active medical license while serving in the position, Casey Means' nomination has ignited a debate about transparency and professional qualifications for the role. Nicole Shanahan, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s running mate in the 2024 presidential election, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, "I was promised that if I supported RFK Jr. in his Senate confirmation" that Means would not work under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). She added, "I don't know if RFK very clearly lied to me, or what is going on." Newsweek contacted HHS for comment via email outside regular working hours. Means, who was not immediately reachable via her social media accounts, was also contacted via an email to the department. While most surgeons general have a medical or public health background, holding an active medical license is not a statutory or regulatory requirement for the position. However, Means' nomination has raised questions about professional representation in the health and wellness industry. As medical influencers gain vast followings online, there is growing concern over how credentials are communicated—and whether audiences are being misled about an expert's active medical authority. Means is a physician turned entrepreneur who earned her undergraduate and medical degrees at Stanford University. She trained in otolaryngology—ear, nose and throat surgery—before leaving clinical practice to focus on what she described as "root-cause resolution medicine" and systems-based approaches to health. Means co-founded Levels in 2019, a company that promotes continuous glucose monitoring for nondiabetic users as a tool for metabolic optimization. She has written extensively about the relationship between diet, lifestyle and metabolic health, and she often uses social media and public speaking engagements to advocate for personalized wellness strategies. Means is a vocal supporter of Kennedy and his agenda to "Make America Healthy Again." In February, she celebrated his confirmation as health secretary, writing on X, "@RobertKennedyJr has a vision for the future that aligns with what I want for my family, future children, and the world." Calley Means, her brother, was also recently appointed as a White House adviser on the "Make America Healthy Again" campaign. According to publicly available records from the Oregon Medical Board, Means' license was granted in 2014 and transitioned to an inactive status five years later, in July 2019. An inactive license means she is no longer authorized to practice medicine or prescribe medication, although there is no indication of disciplinary action or revocation. Her continued use of the "Dr." honorific and promotion of health interventions has prompted backlash from physicians who argue that it blurs the line between credentialed medical advice and wellness entrepreneurship. Conservative commentator Laura Loomer wrote on X: "Casey Means, the new Trump nominee for US Surgeon General doesn't even have an active medical license in Oregon when she established her medical practice. How is the top doctor in the US supposed to give medical guidance and advice to the nation when she doesn't even have an active medical license in the state where she allegedly practiced medicine? Does Casey Means even have an active medical license in any state?? This is so embarrassing for the Trump administration." She wrote in a separate post: "Surgeon General is a very interesting term. The Surgeon General is the nation's top doctor, responsible for providing medical advice and leadership on public health issues. It is worth noting that Casey Means doesn't have a surgical residency, and isn't a surgeon. The term Surgeon General is interesting given the fact that there is no requirement to be a Surgeon to be Surgeon General. Turns out you can be a social media influencer and become Surgeon General." Dr. Mary Talley Bowden, the founder of Americans for Health Freedom, wrote on X: "Shouldn't the surgeon general have an active medical license?" Nicole Shanahan, a lawyer and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s former running mate, wrote on X: "Yes, it's very strange. Doesn't make any sense. I was promised that if I supported RFK Jr. in his Senate confirmation that neither of these siblings would be working under HHS or in an appointment (and that people much more qualified would be). I don't know if RFK very clearly lied to me, or what is going on. It has been clear in recent conversations that he is reporting to someone regularly who is controlling his decisions (and it isn't President Trump). With regards to the siblings, there is something very artificial and aggressive about them, almost like they were bred and raised Manchurian assets." Means must be confirmed by the Senate before she can assume the role of surgeon general. Related Articles Who is Casey Means? Trump Nominates Wellness Influencer as Surgeon GeneralRFK Jr. Gives Update on Autism Research Involving Medicare, Medicaid MembersWho Is Vinay Prasad? RFK Jr. Taps Pharma Critic to Lead FDA Vaccine ProgramRFK Jr Says Vaccine Contains 'Aborted Fetus Debris' 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
