Health

Trump Picks Saphier as Third Surgeon General Nominee

Is this a sign of administration chaos or a battle between Big Pharma and real health reform?

MAY 1·Updated MAY 4

Trump Picks Saphier as Third Surgeon General Nominee

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Above: Casey Means testifies during a Senate HELP Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on Feb. 25. Image credit: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

Democratic narrative

Trump's third surgeon general nominee in one term is a red flag for how chaotic this administration's public health agenda has become. Casey Means lacked the credentials for the job, and the Senate was right to pump the brakes. Nominating Fox News contributors to lead the nation's top health office betrays an unserious approach to fixing America's health care crisis.

Laura Packard on X Intelligencer Atlantic

Republican narrative

Big Pharma money is the real reason Casey Means got blocked — Sen. Bill Cassidy's top donors include major pharmaceutical companies, and he killed a nominee who threatened that gravy train. Dr. Nicole Saphier brings real medical credentials and a record of fighting for patients, making her a strong pick to advance the Make America Healthy Again agenda Cassidy worked so hard to derail.

PJ Media

Eric Daugherty on X