Casey Means, MD, had a confirmation hearing before the Senate HELP Committee for the position of Surgeon General on February 25, 2026.[1][6] The hearing was originally scheduled for October, but was postponed due to the birth of her child; she is the mother of a 17-week-old boy.[1][2] During the hearing, she expressed the opinion that vaccines save lives and supports vaccination, but refused to directly encourage vaccination, stressing that everyone should consult a doctor.[1] To Senator Cassidy's questions about measles vaccination in connection with epidemics, she replied that it was an individual decision.[1][4] Senator Sanders confronted her about vaccines and autism; stated that medicine does not know what causes autism (1 in 31 children according to HHS, previously 1 in 150), and all causes must be investigated.[2] Senator Murray questioned her claim that Americans use birth control "like candy", and Senator Baldwin pointed out that Means accepted money to promote health companies and supplements.[4][5] The company she promoted paid $43 million for violating the False Claims Act, and she received $10,000.[4][5]