Siblings Casey and Calley Means, figures associated with the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, are currently absent from the political spotlight. Casey Means’s nomination for Surgeon General has been delayed, while Calley Means is out of the White House; Casey Means misses her confirmation hearing. This comes amid scrutiny regarding potential conflicts of interest stemming from their involvement in the wellness industry.
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Official guidance: IEEE — official guidance for Calley Means is out of the White House; Casey Means misses
Key Developments
Casey Means’s scheduled virtual appearance at a Senate confirmation hearing was postponed indefinitely. The postponement occurred because she went into labor. Reports indicate the hearing was initially scheduled two days after her due date. This unexpected delay means Calley Means is out of the White House; Casey Means misses a critical opportunity to advance her nomination.
Separately, it has been reported that Calley Means has left his position as a “Special Government Employee” within the White House. His term, limited to 130 days, concluded approximately a month prior, according to The New York Times. Despite his departure, which was not publicly announced by the White House, Calley Means continued to be identified as a government employee in press articles and at a conference. Calley Means told the Times that these identifications were inaccurate. The exit of Calley Means is noteworthy, especially since Calley Means is out of the White House; Casey Means misses her Senate confirmation hearing.
Concerns Regarding Potential Conflicts of Interest
Critics have voiced concerns regarding the Means siblings’ involvement in the wellness sector and the potential for conflicts of interest arising from their government roles. Calley Means, for example, is a co-founder of Truemed, a wellness company that facilitates the use of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for purchasing wellness interventions. These interventions include cold plunges, red light therapy, personal saunas, and supplements. These services and products lack scientific validation. There were concerns that Truemed could benefit from the previous administration’s plans to expand eligibility for tax-advantaged medical spending. The departure of Calley Means is welcomed by some who viewed his position as a potential conflict, particularly now that Calley Means is out of the White House; Casey Means misses her confirmation hearing.
Public Citizen, a government watchdog organization, expressed approval of Calley Means’s departure. Jon Golinger, a Democracy Advocate at Public Citizen, stated that the previous administration misused the “Special Government Employee” designation, allowing powerful individuals to circumvent financial transparency and anti-corruption regulations. He added that Calley Means’s term had expired, and his resignation was a positive development.
Casey Means’s Background and the Controversy Surrounding Her Nomination
Casey Means, while holding a medical degree from Stanford Medical School, does not have an active medical license or board certification. She has shifted her focus to “functional” medicine, an alternative medicine approach. She co-founded Levels, a company that promotes health tracking, including continuous blood glucose monitoring for individuals without prediabetes or diabetes. Another co-founder of Levels is Sam Corcos, currently the chief information officer for the Department of the Treasury. The New Yorker reported that Corcos led the effort to dismantle the Internal Revenue Service on behalf of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. This adds another layer to the narrative as Calley Means is out of the White House; Casey Means misses her confirmation hearing.
Casey and Calley Means co-authored the book “Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health,” which encourages readers to avoid processed foods, seed oils, fragrances, home care products, fluoride, unfiltered water, bananas (when eaten alone), receipt paper, and birth control pills. The book includes a chapter titled “Trust Yourself, Not Your Doctor.” Her nomination for Surgeon General has faced criticism from health experts, with Defend Public Health urging lawmakers to reject her due to what they perceive as “quackery.”
Reactions from Health Experts
Health experts have criticized Casey Means’s nomination for Surgeon General. Oni Blackstock, an HIV expert and former assistant commissioner at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, stated that the Surgeon General should be someone Americans can trust to provide credible advice based on solid science and real data. Blackstock argued that Casey Means is a “charlatan” who specializes in selling expensive, unproven tests and treatments. The controversy surrounding Casey Means highlights the challenges faced by the “Make America Healthy Again” movement. In the meantime, Calley Means is out of the White House; Casey Means misses her confirmation hearing.
The absence of both Casey and Calley Means from the political arena raises questions about the future direction of health policy and the influence of alternative medicine within government. The concerns surrounding potential conflicts of interest and the lack of scientific validation for some of their promoted wellness interventions remain significant points of contention.
In conclusion, the departure of Calley Means from the White House and the postponement of Casey Means’s Senate confirmation hearing mark a shift in the landscape of health and wellness within the political sphere. The criticisms leveled against their qualifications and potential conflicts of interest underscore the ongoing debate surrounding the role of alternative medicine in public health policy. With Calley Means is out of the White House; Casey Means misses her chance to be confirmed, the future remains uncertain for their influence on national health initiatives.
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