Will Stone

Last year, he called them corrupt and beholden to the pharmaceutical industry.

Will Stone, NPR News.

Much of the attention and the questioning, it was clear that Means had to walk a tightrope here.

You can get a sense from this exchange with Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, who's a doctor and chairs the committee.

Cassidy asked repeatedly if means would tell mothers to have their kids vaccinated against measles.

Would you encourage her to have her child vaccinated?

Another example was on the debunked link between autism and vaccines when Pressed Means said that science is never settled and that she supports Kennedy's effort to study this.

Casey Means is a wellness influencer, author, and entrepreneur.

She graduated medical school but never finished her training to be a surgeon.

Much of her messaging around diet and lifestyle aligns with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

's agenda, and she was pressed throughout the hearing about her views on vaccines.

Means said she believes in vaccines but stopped short of saying she'd encourage mothers to vaccinate their kids for flu or measles.

Means has questioned the safety of the childhood vaccine schedule in public appearances and the use of oral birth control.

When asked, she said birth control should be accessible, but women should know the risks.

The medical establishment has largely opposed her nomination.

Will Stone, NPR News.

Casey Means is a wellness influencer, author, and entrepreneur.

She graduated medical school but never finished her training to be a surgeon.

Much of her messaging around diet and lifestyle aligns with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

's agenda, and she was pressed throughout the hearing about her views on vaccines.