1. United States
2. Letter

I urge you to vote against confirming Dr. Casey Means as U.S. Surgeon General. This nomination represents a dangerous departure from the qualifications necessary for our nation's top public health position. Dr. Means attended Stanford Medical School but never completed her residency, does not hold board certification, and does not currently maintain an active medical license. The Surgeon General serves as America's doctor, providing medical guidance to 330 million people during public health crises. This role demands completed medical training and active clinical experience, not wellness influencing. Her confirmation hearing revealed alarming gaps in her commitment to evidence-based medicine. When Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, himself a physician, asked directly whether vaccines contribute to autism, Dr. Means gave an evasive answer, stating that "science is never settled" despite overwhelming scientific consensus. Even more concerning, she refused to directly recommend the measles vaccine during a year when the U.S. is experiencing a dramatic rise in measles cases. She has also made scientifically unfounded claims that hormonal birth control has "horrifying health risks for women," contradicting established medical evidence. The consequences of confirming unqualified individuals to critical health positions are not theoretical. We have already witnessed substantial damage to public health from similar appointments. At a time when vaccine-preventable diseases are resurging and public trust in health institutions needs rebuilding, we cannot afford a Surgeon General who equivocates on basic immunization science. While some of Dr. Means' positions on nutrition and ultra-processed foods have merit, these areas of agreement cannot compensate for her lack of medical credentials and her willingness to cast doubt on proven public health interventions. The American people deserve a Surgeon General with completed medical training, board certification, and an unwavering commitment to scientific evidence. I ask that you vote no on this confirmation and insist on a nominee who meets the professional standards this critical position demands.