U.S. Sen. Susan Collins was skeptical in a Wednesday confirmation hearing on President Donald Trump’s surgeon general nominee, questioning her past use of psychedelics.
Dr. Casey Means, a wellness influencer, author and entrepreneur remains on track to win the position as the nation’s top doctor behind a message that dovetails with that of Means’ ally, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and his “Make America Healthy Again” movement.
Many Democrats and Republicans agree that the rise in chronic disease is a problem that needs solving. But she also faced tough questions from senators about topics that have become divisive in recent years, such as vaccines and hormonal birth control, as well as about her qualifications and potential conflicts.
Collins, a Republican who is up for reelection in 2026, noted that Means had touted the therapeutic use of psychedelic mushrooms in her book “Good Energy” and had tried them, urging readers to consider using them as well.
“What I would say as a private citizen is in many cases different than what I’d say as a public health official,” Means replied in response to a question from the Maine senator, adding she wouldn’t recommend psychedelics for the public.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, who chairs the Senate health committee, asked Means whether she would advise Americans to vaccinate against flu and measles amid outbreaks across the U.S. She didn’t make that commitment, instead emphasizing the importance of informed consent between patients and doctors.
Cassidy, a doctor himself, then asked Means whether she believes vaccines may contribute to autism, a claim that Kennedy has embraced despite overwhelming research to the contrary.
“I do accept that evidence,” she said, referring to the research. “I also think that science is never settled.”
Means said she looked forward to seeing the results of a federal effort to study environmental contributors to autism. The National Institutes of Health is funding such research, and it’s not clear when those findings will be made public.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, asked Means to address her past comments that birth control pills were being prescribed “like candy” and showed a “disrespect of things that create life.” Means said she thinks oral contraceptives should be available to all women but raised concerns about what she called “horrifying side effects” that can occur.
According to the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, hormonal birth control methods such as the pill, patch or ring are safe for most people but are associated with a small increased risk of deep vein thrombosis, heart attack and stroke. The risk is higher in some people, such as smokers older than 35 or those who have multiple cardiovascular disease risk factors.
During the hearing, Means said her goal is to “get more whole, healthy foods on American plates.” It’s a worldview she developed during her unconventional path in the medical field.
After graduating from Stanford University with a doctor of medicine degree, Means dropped out of her surgical residency program at Oregon Health and Science University in 2018. She later cited her belief that the health care system was broken and exploitative as the reason for her withdrawal.
Means then turned to alternative approaches to address what she has described as widespread metabolic dysfunction driven largely by poor nutrition and an overabundance of ultraprocessed foods. Financial disclosures show she made hundreds of thousands of dollars promoting wellness products, including specialty basil seed supplements, teas and elixirs, probiotic products and a prepared meal delivery service.
An Associated Press investigation found that while recommending these products, she at times failed to disclose that she could profit or benefit from the sales. Senators on Wednesday questioned Means about some of those cases. She said the claims were incorrect, and that she takes conflicts of interest seriously.
Story by Ali Swenson. BDN writer Michael Shepherd contributed to this report. Associated Press writers Laura Ungar and Nicholas Riccardi contributed to this report.
