The Trump Nominee for Surgeon General: A Recipe for Disaster?
As the nation awaits the confirmation of Casey Means, President Donald Trump's nominee for surgeon general, medical experts are sounding the alarm on her questionable qualifications and advocacy for unproven health practices.
Means, a wellness influencer and entrepreneur, has been praised by Trump as having "impeccable 'MAHA' credentials," but critics argue that she lacks the necessary medical expertise to hold the nation's top public health post. Despite attending medical school and dropping out during her surgical residency, Means is largely self-taught in the field of medicine.
Dr. Ryan Marino, a board-certified physician, has expressed deep concerns about Means' nomination, citing her anti-vaccine sentiments, her advocacy for "functional medicine," which he describes as "quackery." The latter refers to unproven and disproven practices that have no scientific basis, but are instead based on pseudoscientific theories.
Means' background in functional medicine is particularly concerning, given its track record of promoting untested treatments and products. Her endorsement of continuous glucose monitors for people who don't need them, as well as her criticism of vaccinations like the hepatitis B vaccine, have raised eyebrows among experts. The latter vaccine has been credited with preventing millions of deaths worldwide.
Critics also point to Means' financial ties to supplement companies and medical device manufacturers, which could create a conflict of interest in her role as surgeon general. She has invested in companies like Altria Group and Philip Morris International, two tobacco giants, despite claiming that she would divest from such investments if confirmed.
The concern is not just about Means' personal motivations, but also about the potential influence she could wield over public health policy. As a prominent figure, she could shape the narrative around alternative medicine and promote unproven treatments to the American public.
Experts warn that her advocacy for organic produce could have serious consequences for consumers. While the idea of eating organic may seem appealing, it is often impractical and expensive. Moreover, some pesticides used in conventional farming are actually more effective and safer than their organic counterparts.
Emily Bass, director of Federal Policy, Food and Agriculture at the Breakthrough Institute, notes that the conversion to an all-organic food system could lead to higher prices for consumers and environmental degradation. "If she moves into this position and uses that platform to tell everyday Americans they should be scared of conventionally-grown food, there's no reason to not expect that to have ripple effects into the market," Bass said.
The nomination of Casey Means as surgeon general raises serious questions about the nation's public health infrastructure. As a prominent figure, she could shape policy and influence the American public in ways that are detrimental to their health and well-being. It is imperative that the Senate scrutinizes her nomination closely and ensures that she has the necessary qualifications and expertise to hold this critical position.
In the end, it is not just about Means' personal views or financial ties; it is about the potential consequences of her advocacy for unproven health practices and alternative medicine. The nation deserves a surgeon general who can provide evidence-based guidance on public health issues, rather than promoting pseudoscientific theories that put people's lives at risk.
As the nomination process unfolds, one thing is clear: the American public has a stake in ensuring that its top public health official is qualified, honest, and committed to serving their best interests. Anything less would be a recipe for disaster.
As the nation awaits the confirmation of Casey Means, President Donald Trump's nominee for surgeon general, medical experts are sounding the alarm on her questionable qualifications and advocacy for unproven health practices.
Means, a wellness influencer and entrepreneur, has been praised by Trump as having "impeccable 'MAHA' credentials," but critics argue that she lacks the necessary medical expertise to hold the nation's top public health post. Despite attending medical school and dropping out during her surgical residency, Means is largely self-taught in the field of medicine.
Dr. Ryan Marino, a board-certified physician, has expressed deep concerns about Means' nomination, citing her anti-vaccine sentiments, her advocacy for "functional medicine," which he describes as "quackery." The latter refers to unproven and disproven practices that have no scientific basis, but are instead based on pseudoscientific theories.
Means' background in functional medicine is particularly concerning, given its track record of promoting untested treatments and products. Her endorsement of continuous glucose monitors for people who don't need them, as well as her criticism of vaccinations like the hepatitis B vaccine, have raised eyebrows among experts. The latter vaccine has been credited with preventing millions of deaths worldwide.
Critics also point to Means' financial ties to supplement companies and medical device manufacturers, which could create a conflict of interest in her role as surgeon general. She has invested in companies like Altria Group and Philip Morris International, two tobacco giants, despite claiming that she would divest from such investments if confirmed.
The concern is not just about Means' personal motivations, but also about the potential influence she could wield over public health policy. As a prominent figure, she could shape the narrative around alternative medicine and promote unproven treatments to the American public.
Experts warn that her advocacy for organic produce could have serious consequences for consumers. While the idea of eating organic may seem appealing, it is often impractical and expensive. Moreover, some pesticides used in conventional farming are actually more effective and safer than their organic counterparts.
Emily Bass, director of Federal Policy, Food and Agriculture at the Breakthrough Institute, notes that the conversion to an all-organic food system could lead to higher prices for consumers and environmental degradation. "If she moves into this position and uses that platform to tell everyday Americans they should be scared of conventionally-grown food, there's no reason to not expect that to have ripple effects into the market," Bass said.
The nomination of Casey Means as surgeon general raises serious questions about the nation's public health infrastructure. As a prominent figure, she could shape policy and influence the American public in ways that are detrimental to their health and well-being. It is imperative that the Senate scrutinizes her nomination closely and ensures that she has the necessary qualifications and expertise to hold this critical position.
In the end, it is not just about Means' personal views or financial ties; it is about the potential consequences of her advocacy for unproven health practices and alternative medicine. The nation deserves a surgeon general who can provide evidence-based guidance on public health issues, rather than promoting pseudoscientific theories that put people's lives at risk.
As the nomination process unfolds, one thing is clear: the American public has a stake in ensuring that its top public health official is qualified, honest, and committed to serving their best interests. Anything less would be a recipe for disaster.
she's basically got no idea what she's doing and it's so concerning that she's being promoted by the president 
means to me is like the anti-surgeon general just imagine her pushing ppl towards toxic meds or vaccines 
meanwhile, real doctors are screaming about how unqualified she is 
gotta keep an eye on this one 
Casey Means' lack of medical expertise is a huge red flag 
And don't even get me started on her financial ties to tobacco companies 
. I'm not saying that one little investment is the end of the world, but come on... it raises some serious eyebrows 
It's like they're trying to create a public health crisis 
. Let's hope the Senate does its due diligence and rejects this nomination before it's too late 
.
. And don't even get me started on her financial ties to tobacco companies 
. We need someone with actual expertise and credibility in the surgeon general role, not some quack who's just gonna promote pseudoscience 
. This whole thing is like a recipe for disaster 
, and I'm seriously worried about the direction our country is headed right now 
.
. I mean, I get where Trump's trying to shake things up, but this surgeon general gig is way too important to mess with, you know? It's like she's got some sketchy credentials and a whole lot of unproven health practices to go around 
. And what really gets me is that she's gonna try to promote organic produce as some sort of panacea for everything 
, but let's be real, it's often super expensive and impractical.
. I mean, her lack of formal medical training and ties to industries that could influence her decisions as surgeon general are major red flags 
. It's one thing to be passionate about health and wellness, but entirely another to have expertise in a field where lives are on the line 
It's not just about her qualifications or motivations, it's about the potential impact she could have on our collective health and wellbeing 
.
Not everyone who gets vaccinated has an adverse reaction, but the benefits far outweigh the risks. We need someone who can promote vaccines and other life-saving treatments.
and don't even get me started on her views on vaccines and organic food 
it's like she'd be more interested in profiting from people's health than actually helping them 
. what if she starts spreading misinformation about healthy eating too?! organic produce might seem appealing, but if it's going to lead to higher prices and environmental degradation... that's just not okay 
.
. And let's not forget about her ties to big tobacco companies - that's just shady 
Like, how can someone who doesn't even understand basic vaccine science be in charge of public health? It's a recipe for disaster, no question. And don't even get me started on her financial ties to tobacco companies... that's just disgusting 
she's got like 0 actual medical expertise her whole background is like "oh I went to med school but dropped out so im basically qualified" 
? And those financial ties to tobacco companies? Red flag, dude! 
. her ties to big tobacco are also super sketchy, like what's next? selling out to Big Pharma? 
. we need someone with actual qualifications and expertise in public health, not some self-proclaimed expert who's just gonna put people's lives at risk 
.
.
. Not some influencer who's gonna push their own agenda and put people's lives at risk 
This nomination is like a trainwreck that you can't look away from... Casey Means has some serious gaps in her qualifications and is spreading unproven health nonsense left and right. It's like she's trying to make a fortune off of gullible people who just want to feel better