1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose Casey Means' nomination for US Surgeon General. This appointment poses a serious threat to public health at a time when our nation needs credible, science-based leadership. Casey Means is a wellness influencer whose medical license has lapsed, raising immediate questions about her commitment to practicing evidence-based medicine. More troubling is her documented history of promoting misinformation about childhood vaccinations. The Surgeon General serves as America's chief health educator and must be a trusted voice on vaccines, disease prevention, and public health policy. Someone who has spread false information about vaccines cannot fulfill this critical responsibility. The timing of this nomination is particularly dangerous. We are currently facing a measles outbreak, a disease that was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000 thanks to widespread vaccination. Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious complications including pneumonia, encephalitis, and death, particularly in young children. Appointing a Surgeon General who has undermined confidence in vaccines during an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease sends exactly the wrong message to families and healthcare providers. The Surgeon General position requires someone with active medical credentials, a track record of rigorous scientific work, and the ability to communicate complex health information accurately to the public. This role oversees the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and shapes national health policy. Promoting pseudoscientific remedies and vaccine misinformation disqualifies someone from this position, regardless of other credentials. I ask that you publicly oppose Casey Means' nomination and vote against her confirmation. Our communities deserve a Surgeon General who will protect public health based on scientific evidence, not someone whose platform has included spreading dangerous misinformation about lifesaving vaccines.