1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

Vote no on Dr. Casey Means' nomination for surgeon general. She lacks the basic qualifications for this position and has demonstrated dangerous judgment on critical public health issues. Means does not hold an active medical license and never completed a residency. Former Surgeon General Jerome Adams, who served under Trump, has stated that not having an active license should disqualify her from the role. The surgeon general oversees the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, which requires its own officers to maintain active licenses. How can she enforce standards she doesn't meet herself? Her evasiveness during her February confirmation hearing was alarming. When questioned about her skepticism of hepatitis B vaccines for newborns, she sidestepped the issue despite medical consensus that this vaccine prevents serious liver disease and cancer. During a measles outbreak, we cannot afford a surgeon general who hesitates to recommend proven vaccines. Her admission of using psilocybin, an illegal hallucinogen, raises further questions about her judgment. The surgeon general must be a trusted voice on public health, especially during disease outbreaks. Means is not qualified for this responsibility. Reject her nomination.