Daily Health News Digest — Saturday, February 28, 2026

11 articles analyzed · 1 sources · 5 key highlights

Key Highlights

Overview

Controversy swirls around the Trump administration's health leadership appointments as a former surgeon general publicly opposes the nomination of wellness influencer Casey Means, while HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reshapes the CDC's vaccine advisory committee. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical pricing continues to dominate policy discussions with new revelations about Trump-era drug pricing deals expiring and hospitals reaping billions from discount programs. The day's health news reflects an administration in transition, with significant questions about qualification standards for top health positions and the future of drug pricing policy.

Former Surgeon General Challenges Means Nomination

In a pointed opinion piece, former U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams urged the Senate to reject Casey Means' nomination as the nation's top doctor, writing bluntly that "the surgeon general is not a wellness influencer." The rebuke represents a rare public intervention from a recent predecessor and underscores growing concerns about qualification standards for critical health leadership positions. Means, known primarily for her work as a health and wellness content creator rather than clinical practice, has faced scrutiny over whether her background adequately prepares her for a role that traditionally serves as America's chief health educator during public health crises. Adams' opposition carries particular weight given his service under the previous Trump administration, suggesting concerns that transcend partisan politics. The controversy arrives as the administration reshapes health policy leadership across multiple agencies, raising broader questions about the balance between traditional medical credentials and alternative health perspectives in government.

Kennedy Reshapes Vaccine Oversight

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced two new appointments to the CDC's vaccine advisory committee, furthering his influence over the nation's immunization policy apparatus. The additions follow a rescheduled meeting and represent Kennedy's continued effort to reshape vaccine oversight since taking office. Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic before his Cabinet appointment, has promised to maintain vaccine availability while increasing scrutiny of vaccine safety and efficacy data. Public health experts have expressed concern that his appointments may introduce ideological considerations into what has traditionally been a science-driven committee focused on epidemiological evidence and clinical trial data. The vaccine advisory committee plays a crucial role in recommending which immunizations Americans should receive and when, making its composition a matter of significant public health consequence. Any shift in the committee's approach could affect vaccination rates and disease prevention efforts nationwide.

Drug Pricing Deals Reach Expiration

SEC filings reveal that "most-favored nation" drug pricing agreements negotiated during President Trump's previous term are reaching their three-year expiration dates for several pharmaceutical companies. The deals, which tied U.S. drug prices to lower international rates, represented one of the administration's signature efforts to address pharmaceutical costs. The expirations create uncertainty about future pricing structures and whether the administration will seek to renegotiate similar arrangements or pursue alternative pricing strategies. The original agreements were celebrated as breakthroughs when announced but faced criticism from some industry analysts who questioned their long-term sustainability. As these deals lapse, attention turns to whether the administration will leverage its regulatory authority to impose new pricing constraints or rely on market-based approaches.

Hospitals Profit from Drug Discount Program

A new Minnesota report exposes how large hospitals continue to dominate the controversial 340B drug discount program, with participating hospitals and clinics in the state generating at least $1.34 billion in revenue during 2024. The 340B program was originally designed to help safety-net providers serve low-income patients by allowing them to purchase drugs at steep discounts. Critics argue the program has expanded far beyond its original intent, with large hospital systems capturing the majority of benefits while not always passing savings to patients. The Minnesota data provides concrete evidence of the program's financial scale and raises questions about whether reforms are needed to ensure discounts reach their intended beneficiaries. The report arrives as Congress considers potential 340B reforms, with pharmaceutical companies pushing for restrictions and hospitals defending the program as essential to funding care for vulnerable populations.

FDA Defends Rare Disease Drug Rejections

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary defended the agency's recent decisions to reject certain rare disease drug applications, amid accusations of a "smear campaign" against the agency. Makary also backed top FDA official Vinay Prasad, whose skeptical approach to some medical interventions has generated controversy within the research community. The defense comes as the FDA navigates pressure from rare disease patient advocates who argue the agency should apply more flexible standards when evaluating treatments for conditions with limited options. Makary's position suggests the administration will maintain rigorous approval standards despite political pressure, though patient advocates worry this approach may delay access to potentially beneficial therapies. This tension between scientific rigor and compassionate access remains one of the most challenging aspects of rare disease drug regulation.

Emerging Themes

Several connecting threads run through today's health news. Questions about qualifications and expertise dominate discussions of administration appointments, from Means' surgeon general nomination to Kennedy's vaccine committee selections. Drug pricing and pharmaceutical policy continue generating headlines across multiple fronts, from discount program controversies to expiring pricing agreements. And tensions between traditional medical establishment perspectives and alternative approaches appear throughout the day's coverage.

Looking Ahead

The Senate's decision on Casey Means' nomination will signal how seriously lawmakers take traditional qualifications for health leadership positions. Kennedy's vaccine committee appointments will face scrutiny as the panel takes up its next recommendations. And as most-favored nation pricing deals expire, the pharmaceutical industry and patient advocates will watch closely for signals about the administration's next moves on drug costs. The intersection of politics and health policy shows no signs of cooling as we move deeper into 2026.