Headline Roundup • February 25th, 2026
Surgeon General Nominee Fields Questions on Vaccines, Pesticides in Confirmation Hearing
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Casey Means, President Donald Trump's nominee for Surgeon General, faced questions from Republicans and Democrats at her Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday.
Qualifications: Outlets on the left tended to highlight that Means does not have a current license to practice as a physician. Associated Press (Left bias) described Means as a "wellness influencer, author and entrepreneur." New York Post (Lean Right) wrote that Means "co-authored the bestselling book that has been dubbed the bible of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda." The Post also described her as a "Stanford-trained surgeon" but did not make note of her license status.
Vaccines: When asked about if she would recommend the measles vaccine for children, Means said, "I'm not an individual's doctor, and every individual needs to talk to their doctor before putting medication in their body." AP reported that when Sen. Bill Cassidy (LA-R) asked Means if she accepts the evidence that shows vaccines don't cause autism, Means responded, "I do accept that evidence. I also think that science is never settled." CNN (Lean Left) wrote that Means "sparred" with a questioning senator and "dodged" questions about the efficacy of vaccines.
Birth Control: Newsmax (Right) wrote that "Means signaled more conventional positions" on health issues such as birth control. Means said, "I absolutely think that oral contraception should be widely accessible." AP also included Means' concerns about what she described as "horrifying side effects" that can occur from oral contraceptives.
Conflict Between Senators: The Hill (Center) highlighted a tense conversation between Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT-D) and Sen. Markwayne Mullin (OK-D) over the cost of health insurance for Americans. The Hill wrote that Mullin used much of his time meant to question Means "railing against a 'broken' health care system" and blaming costs on the Affordable Care Act. The Hill wrote that after a brief exchange, Sanders "shouted" at Mullin, "You're attacking me."
Written by the AllSides staff (of humans). Learn more. Support our mission. Suggest an improvement to this summary.
Featured Coverage of this Story
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) lashed out against Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) over Obamacare during a Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday for President Trump's surgeon general pick, Casey Means, leading to a brief but tense exchange between the lawmakers.
Mullin used much of his time railing against a "broken" health care system, which he blamed on the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a law Sanders has supported, even while arguing it didn't go far enough.
President Donald Trump's nominee for surgeon general, Dr. Casey Means, defended her views on vaccines, autism, and public health in a Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday, but her responses underscored the steep challenges she faces in winning support from Democrats.
Means, a physician aligned with the Make America Healthy Again movement, sought to frame her approach as focused on chronic disease and patient empowerment rather than vaccine skepticism.
Kylie Cooper/Reuters
Dr. Casey Means, the president's nominee for surgeon general, believes the US is a "nation with a broken heart" reckoning with unprecedented amounts of chronic illness and mental illness. But during a lengthy confirmation hearing on Wednesday, she said vaccine policy would not be her priority.
At one point, she sparred with a senator over the benefits of flu vaccination, dodging repeated questions on whether she thinks it's effective against hospitalization and death.
Means was interrogated by senators from both sides of the dais about her positions on vaccines, abortion...
AllSides Picks
.png)
More News about Healthcare on AllSides
News from the Left
News from the Center
News from the Right
Just The News
