1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am writing as a constituent to express my strong concern regarding the potential nomination of Casey Means for the position of U.S. Surgeon General. I respectfully urge you to oppose this nomination. The role of Surgeon General carries immense responsibility. It requires a leader with unquestioned medical credibility, a commitment to evidence based medicine, and the trust of the public health community. Several reported issues about Dr. Means raise serious concerns about whether she meets that standard. First, it has been reported that she does not currently hold an active medical license and did not complete a medical residency. The Surgeon General serves as the nation’s leading public health physician, and it is deeply concerning to consider appointing someone to this role who has not completed the traditional clinical training expected of physicians in leadership positions. Second, there are concerns about her unwillingness to clearly recommend routine vaccines such as those for measles or influenza. At a time when public health officials are working hard to maintain confidence in vaccination programs, the Surgeon General must be able to strongly and clearly communicate the safety and importance of vaccines. Third, she has reportedly declined to definitively reject the claim that vaccines are linked to autism, a theory that has been thoroughly studied and debunked by the scientific community for decades. Allowing any ambiguity on this issue risks undermining public trust in lifesaving immunization programs. Finally, statements attributed to Dr. Means regarding birth control and reproductive health raise additional concerns about whether her views align with widely accepted medical guidance and patient centered care. The Surgeon General should represent the best of American medicine and public health. This position demands rigorous medical training, strong support for established science, and clear communication that reinforces trust in our health institutions. For these reasons, I respectfully ask that you oppose the nomination of Casey Means and support candidates whose credentials and public health leadership reflect the seriousness of this role.