On February 25, 2026, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) held a hearing entitled, Nomination of Casey Means to be Medical Director in the Regular Corps of the Public Health Service and Surgeon General of the Public Health Service. Senators examined Dr. Means’ views on chronic disease, vaccine policy, maternal and reproductive health, pediatric care, medical transparency, nutrition, environmental exposures, and digital and social media harms. Senators argued along party lines on matters including vaccines, Dr. Means’ alleged conflicts of interest, and federal health policy generally, while agreeing on certain areas of interest such as chronic disease prevention, nutrition, and youth mental health. Throughout her testimony, Dr. Means promoted a platform centered on addressing the “root causes” of chronic illness, improving metabolic health, expanding research into environmental and dietary contributors to disease, and rebuilding public trust in health care institutions. 

More information on this hearing can be found here. Dr. Means’ testimony can be found here.