Surgeon general nominee Casey Means said during a confirmation hearing Wednesday that she believes vaccines save lives but did not unequivocally urge people to get vaccinated.
Why it matters: The nutrition influencer and ally of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would have a key role in vaccine messaging as the nation's top doctor and at times tried to avoid being pinned down by senators over how she would handle that responsibility.
- Pressed by Senate health committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-La.) on whether she would encourage vaccination against measles amid a series of outbreaks across the country, Means said: "Every individual needs to talk to their doctor before putting a medication in their body."
- She did say broadly that "vaccines save lives" and "I'm supportive of vaccination."
The big picture: Means puts a more polished presentation on "Make America Healthy Again" views, unlike Kennedy, who has frequently shot back with criticisms of senators on the same committee when testifying.
- Means was educated as a physician at Stanford University before dropping out of her residency program to focus on root causes of disease.
- She sought to downplay the importance of vaccines to her worldview, saying that she is focused on fighting rising levels of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
- "My deep hope is to be a unifying, practical messenger that brings people together around issues that I think every family cares about," she said.
Yes, but: She was evasive facing tough questions from Cassidy, who has clashed with Kennedy over vaccines, as well as moderate Republicans Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine).
- Cassidy pressed Means on what exactly she is advocating for on vaccine recommendations, and whether she wants formal informed consent like when someone is undergoing surgery.
- Means didn't directly answer the question, responding that she wants "a culture shift towards making sure that we're respecting parent questions."
The intrigue: Means' hearing, which was delayed from October because of the birth of her child, comes as the Trump administration also faces internal tensions over how far to go on Kennedy's agenda.
- Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) touched on a key friction point when he pressed Means about President Trump's new executive order boosting the herbicide glyphosate that has drawn a backlash from some in the MAHA movement.
- Means did not criticize the executive order and said "we cannot overturn the entire agriculture system overnight," while efforts continue to move away from these chemicals in the food supply.
Cassidy also pressed Means on whether she thinks vaccines cause autism, a view that's been promoted by Kennedy but widely discredited by the medical community.
- Means did not rule out a linkage and said she supported continuing to study the question. "We do not know as a medical community what causes autism," she said. "Science is never settled."
What they're saying: Cassidy spoke out in favor of vaccines, pointing to measles outbreaks in Texas last year and a current one in South Carolina that's led to nearly 1,000 cases.
- "We've had two children die from measles in West Texas," he said. "You're a mom, we're on the verge of losing our measles elimination status."
- Murkowski also raised concerns about Means' views on the hepatitis B vaccine, "given the medical consensus that this vaccine prevents this serious liver disease and liver cancer."
The bottom line: Means appears on track to be confirmed, in what could be the last Senate vote on a Trump health nominee before the midterm elections.
- Cassidy tacitly acknowledged her prospects while sparring with Means on the substance.
- "You're presenting very well by the way, let me just compliment you," he said.
Editor's note: The story has been updated with additional reporting.
