Washington, D.C. — The Senate Health Committee has postponed Thursday’s confirmation hearing for President Trump’s nominee for surgeon general, Casey Means, after she unexpectedly went into labor, according to a committee spokesperson.
The delay comes just hours before Means was scheduled to appear virtually for the hearing, a much-anticipated event expected to reignite debates over Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.
A Sudden Turn of Events
Means, a Stanford-trained physician who left her residency to focus on combating chronic disease, had planned to testify remotely due to her late-stage pregnancy. Committee officials said they were informed early Thursday morning that the nominee had gone into labor, prompting an immediate postponement.
A new hearing date has not yet been scheduled.
Political and Public Health Stakes
The confirmation process for Means has been closely watched, not only for her unconventional background as a nutrition influencer but also for her alliance with Kennedy’s public health movement. If confirmed, Means would become one of the youngest and most unconventional surgeon generals in U.S. history.
Her critics point to her past comments expressing skepticism toward vaccines, raising alarm among both Democrats and some Republicans who fear her views could influence national health messaging. Supporters, meanwhile, praise her focus on tackling chronic illness and reshaping public health priorities.
Background on the Nomination
President Trump nominated Means in May, following the withdrawal of Janette Nesheiwat. The administration framed her selection as part of a broader effort to challenge traditional approaches to health care and promote lifestyle-driven solutions to disease prevention.
Means’ supporters view her as a reform-minded physician who could bridge wellness culture and medical policy. Opponents, however, warn that her influence could amplify vaccine hesitancy within the government’s top health office.
Although the hearing has been delayed, the issues surrounding Means’ nomination—and the broader debate about Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda—are far from over.