1. United States
2. Ky.
3. Letter

I urge you to vote against confirming Casey Means as surgeon general. This position requires someone with both medical expertise and a comprehensive understanding of public health systems, and Means lacks the qualifications necessary to protect the health and safety of the American people. Means has never practiced medicine and has never held a government position. This would be equivalent to appointing an attorney general who has never practiced law. The surgeon general must be prepared to address complex public health crises from day one, and this role is not an appropriate place for on-the-job training. During her confirmation hearing Wednesday, Means was asked whether she would encourage mothers to vaccinate their children against measles. Despite stating she supports vaccines, she declined to directly encourage vaccination, saying she is not an individual's doctor and everyone should consult their own physician. This response is deeply concerning given the current measles outbreak. The surgeon general's role explicitly includes effective communication to help the public understand complex medical decisions. Vaccination is the only way to beat this outbreak, and Americans need clear, direct guidance from their top public health official. Most troubling is Means' approach to public health, which focuses primarily on individual choices rather than systemic issues. This perspective fails to address the stark health disparities that define American healthcare. Black women are 40% more likely to die of breast cancer than White women. Low-income Americans face significantly higher rates of chronic conditions like diabetes compared to wealthy Americans. Native Americans are much less likely to be screened for cancers like breast cancer or colon cancer. These disparities cannot be solved through individual decision-making alone. They require a surgeon general who understands and will actively work to dismantle systemic inequities and racial barriers in healthcare access. The Department of Health and Human Services charges the surgeon general with protecting and improving the health and safety of all Americans. Casey Means is not qualified for this critical responsibility. I ask you to oppose her confirmation.