In perhaps the biggest development to date, Mr. Trump has really done it this time. Surgeon General He’s nominated Dr. Casey Means to be the new Surgeon General. After taking heavy fire from far-right allies, Trump agreed to withdraw his original nominee, Janette Nesheiwat. They ripped her for defending the COVID-19 vaccine, among other ‘mischaracterizations’ on her academic and medical background. Dr. Means has quickly become a leading wellness influencer and thought leader. As a long-standing ally of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., she is perfectly positioned to make an outsized impact in this role.
Dr. Means has made waves with her revolutionary approach to health and wellness, This combination of skills, experience, and temperament makes her a uniquely excellent candidate to lead one of our nation’s most critically important public health positions. She is seen by many observers as potentially one of the best Surgeons General in United States history. What truly distinguished her was her expertise and her commitment to creative solutions and health-promoting initiatives.
Kennedy Jr., who has outlined a strategy to overhaul U.S. health agencies by slashing 10,000 jobs, will work closely with Dr. Means in her new role. This collaboration may lead to significant changes within the Department of Health and Human Services as they navigate challenges in public health policy.
She was scheduled to face a full floor confirmation hearing with the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. After a rising tide of opposition based on her qualifications and past controversies over her anti-vaccine position, Trump decided to pull her nomination.
“Her academic achievements, together with her life’s work, are absolutely outstanding.” – Donald Trump
Her appointment is a clear signal that the administration will focus more on wellness and preventative care. Her background makes her uniquely suited to address the challenges of today’s health landscape. This paradigm could appeal to varied populations looking for different pathways to health.
Public health is still an urgent issue for many Americans. Dr. Means’ nomination is further indication that this is the Trump administration’s sophistication on this issue. Her close alignment with Kennedy Jr. may indicate a tightening of their shared vision for healthcare reform.
