Rep. Mike Kennedy Says US Surgeon General Position Is Unnecessary

Arguments Against the U.S. Surgeon General Position

During a Q&A session hosted by the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics and the Sutherland Institute, Republican first-term Rep. Mike Kennedy addressed the vacancy of the U.S. Surgeon General post, which has remained unfilled for nearly two years. As reported by Annie Knox of the Utah News Dispatch, Kennedy issued a direct warning to the audience regarding the office.

“I’m warning you right now, that position shouldn’t be there,” Kennedy stated during the forum. “We don’t need a chief doctor. If anybody understands this, you young folks should understand this.”

The role of the surgeon general dates back more than 150 years. Holders of the office possess the authority to issue public advisories warning citizens about pressing health threats. While surgeons general historically advocate for immunization programs, they do not dictate official vaccine policies. President Donald Trump nominated Nicole Saphier as his third and current pick for the post this term. Saphier spoke in favor of immunizations during a Senate confirmation hearing earlier this month, though the Senate committee did not hold a vote on her nomination.

Left-leaning advocacy groups, including the Center for Science in the Public Interest, defend the position. These organizations maintain that the office serves as a vital health communicator, keeping the American public informed about available scientific data.

State-Level Public Health Authority Versus Federal Oversight

Kennedy, a physician who sold his medical practice upon election to Congress while continuing to see patients in Utah, emphasized that different regions experienced the COVID-19 pandemic under vastly divergent circumstances. He argued that states hold a superior position to craft tailored responses to health crises compared to a centralized federal authority.

“New York City had significant problems, but Sanpete County in the state of Utah? Totally different world with COVID, even though it’s still the same virus,” Kennedy said.

In addition to questioning federal public health infrastructure, Kennedy discussed his integration of modern technology in medicine. He shared that he utilizes notetaking and transcription software during patient consultations and views artificial intelligence as a beneficial tool to help individuals analyze health metrics while assisting doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners with clinical suggestions.

Legislative Record on Healthcare and Upcoming Election

Beyond his commentary on federal health administration, Kennedy sponsors federal legislation aimed at restricting gender-affirming care for teenagers. His proposed measures also extend the legal timeframe for patients to sue healthcare providers if they experience regret following treatments. Kennedy previously carried comparable state legislation as a Utah state senator in 2023, noting that he views these regulations as necessary recognitions of long-term medical impacts while clarifying that he does not support incarcerating doctors for providing care.

Critics of these legislative efforts have cited data indicating that approximately 1% of patients who undergo gender-affirming surgeries later regret the decision, according to findings published in the American Journal of Surgery. Opponents also point out that minor surgeries are exceedingly rare, noting that a study commissioned by Utah lawmakers identified such treatments as effective for improving mental health outcomes.

The debate unfolds as Kennedy campaigns in the November 3 general election. Having represented Utah’s current 3rd Congressional District, Kennedy is running for election in the newly drawn 4th Congressional District, where he faces Democratic challenger Jonny Larsen, libertarian candidate Taylor Wright, and unaffiliated candidate Steven Burt.