1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I strongly urge you to oppose the confirmation of Dr. Casey Means for the position of United States Surgeon General. The Surgeon General is the nation’s foremost public health official — responsible for addressing critical health crises, setting health policy, and communicating clear, evidence-based health guidance to millions of Americans. Casey Means is a problematic candidate given her lack of baseline qualifications and her lack of respect for established medical science.  First, and perhaps most critically for the nation’s “top doctor,” Casey Means does not meet the baseline qualifications necessary for any medical professional. While she has graduated from medical school, she does not have a medical license and is not a practicing physician. At the same time, Means also lacks public health experience. This experience is incredibly important in preparing for the Surgeon General role, which requires being a leader on public health policy and public health communication for the country.  Finally, Casey Means has taken public positions that are not grounded in scientific consensus and respect for established medicine. For instance, Means speaks about hormonal contraceptives in alarmist terms which contradict the longstanding consensus that hormonal birth control is safe and effective for most people, such as by stating that hormonal contraceptives are accompanied by “horrifying health risks.” Means has also made public statements that indicate that she is skeptical of issuing strong guidance for children to receive life-saving vaccines, such as MMR to prevent measles.   At a time when public health challenges are many and significant, we must have the most qualified candidate possible. I respectfully request that you oppose Casey Means’s confirmation as Surgeon General.