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Casey Means makes bid to be nation’s top doctor

February 25, 2026

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Casey Means at her confirmation hearing for surgeon general on Wednesday in Washington.
J. Scott Applewhite

Casey Means, a MAHA leader, makes bid to be nation's top doctor

Wellness entrepreneur and key Kennedy ally tells Senate committee she wants to restore "wholeness for Americans — physically, mentally, and societally."

By Elizabeth Cooney


STAT+ | A rare disease drug was approvable, then it wasn't. Inside a surprise rejection by the FDA

The agency's stated reasons for rejection of Ebvallo were at odds with previous exchanges, according to one of the drugmakers, Pierre Fabre Pharmaceuticals.

By Adam Feuerstein


Women's heart attack risk rises even if arteries aren't as clogged as men's 

Heart disease in women may trigger risk at lower plaque levels than in men, new study says, raising concerns coronary scans could understate the danger.

By Elizabeth Cooney



President Trump arrives to deliver the State of the Union at the Capitol on Tuesday night.
Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty Images

Trump touts lower drug costs and anti-fraud measures in lengthy State of the Union

The president steered clear of more divisive subjects, including vaccines and science funding cuts, in his State of the Union address.

By Chelsea Cirruzzo and John Wilkerson


Surgeon general nominee and senator face off over vaccines and 'shared decision-making'

Casey Means wanted to talk about chronic disease. But Bill Cassidy wanted to hear about her views on vaccines.

By Elizabeth Cooney


STAT+ | HHS adviser hopes prior authorization reform happens in 'double-digit months,' not years

Chris Klomp, top Medicare official, also calls on doctors at a meeting of the AMA to pressure tech vendors to help facilitate change.

By Chelsea Cirruzzo


Jean-François FORT / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images

Opinion: How dentists like me can help patients with substance use disorder

Dentists have a rare opportunity to spot early signs of substance use, stress, or mental distress — if we're willing to look.

By Divya Upadhyay


Opinion: The Rural Health Transformation Program could fail patients like mine

Putting money toward improving infrastructure and modernization won't go very far in rural hospitals barely scraping by.

By Daniel Torrent


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