Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams joined Margaret Brennan on 'Face the Nation' to discuss critical public health issues. Adams expressed strong support for Dr. Erica Schwartz, the president's nominee for CDC director, calling her a 'home run pick.' He highlighted her extensive qualifications and public service experience, while also acknowledging potential political interference she might face, particularly regarding vaccine skepticism and the upcoming Senate confirmation.
Brennan and Adams also addressed the concerning rise in measles cases, with over 1,700 infections reported this year. They noted a recent shift in rhetoric from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the MMR vaccine's safety and effectiveness, a move Adams suggested was politically motivated ahead of the midterms. He cautioned that any tempered endorsement risks sending mixed messages amid declining vaccination rates and a significant measles resurgence.
The conversation then turned to the president's recent executive order aimed at boosting federal research into psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine. Dr. Adams emphasized the need for rigorous research into promising treatments for serious mental illness, noting that early studies on psychedelics show potential for significant symptom improvement in treatment-resistant cases. He clarified that the order directs research funding and eases barriers for access while maintaining FDA and DEA oversight, stating it is not a move toward broad legalization.