Calley Means has gained national attention by sharply criticizing the American health care system, frequently accusing doctors, regulators, and medical organizations of being compromised by financial conflicts. His message has resonated with audiences skeptical of pharmaceutical companies and federal health agencies.
In March, Means was appointed as a White House adviser under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Since taking on the role, he has continued his public campaign, alleging that financial incentives skew the work of physician groups, government scientists, and regulatory bodies.
A Business Stake in Wellness Products
Despite his attacks on the medical establishment, Means himself has financial interests tied to the health and wellness industry. He is the co-founder of Truemed, an online platform that sells dietary supplements, herbal remedies, fitness equipment, light therapy devices, and other alternative wellness products.
According to an Associated Press investigation, Means’ public rhetoric often aligns with the commercial interests of Truemed. Many vendors featured on the platform are vocal supporters of Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement.
Because Means is classified as a temporary or special government employee, he is not required to publicly disclose his financial holdings, limiting transparency around potential conflicts of interest.
How the AP Conducted Its Reporting
The Associated Press reviewed more than two dozen speeches, interviews, articles, and podcast appearances by Means, both before and after he entered government service. These materials form the basis of Main Findings From AP’s Report on an RFK Jr. Adviser’s Financial Interests, highlighting areas where public messaging and private business interests appear to intersect.
Prescription Drugs vs. Wellness Alternatives
Criticism of Medications, Promotion of Alternatives
Truemed allows consumers to use tax-free money from Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to purchase items that typically would not qualify as medical expenses, including meal delivery programs and homeopathic remedies. Homeopathy, a centuries-old practice, is widely dismissed by mainstream science as ineffective.
At the same time, Means has played a prominent role in promoting a new government report that urges scaling back the use of prescription drugs for conditions such as depression and obesity.
Health policy experts argue that by casting doubt on FDA-approved medications, Means indirectly boosts the appeal of the unregulated wellness products sold through his company.
“It reeks of hypocrisy,” said Dr. Reshma Ramachandran, a Yale University health researcher. “He’s criticizing one industry while benefiting from another that sells products with far less oversight.”
Means has countered that his government work has not involved Truemed-related matters and has focused instead on broader goals such as nutrition reform and reducing artificial food dyes.
Limited Financial Disclosure Raises Concerns
A Legal Loophole
Means’ designation as a special government employee allows him to retain business interests and shields his financial disclosure forms from public view. Ethics experts say this creates a significant transparency gap.
“It’s a big problem,” said Richard Painter, former chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush. “This is a loophole that can be exploited.”
As a result, the full scope of Means’ financial ties remains unknown.
Promoting Personal Brands and Business Partners
Blurring the Lines Between Policy and Promotion
While discussing administration health initiatives in public forums, Means has also promoted his own work and that of his business associates.
During an appearance on the sports podcast Outkick The Show, he recommended his book Good Energy, co-authored with his sister, Dr. Casey Means. He also encouraged listeners to consider blood testing services offered by Function Health, a subscription-based company charging roughly $500 per year.
Function Health was co-founded by Dr. Mark Hyman, a close associate of Kennedy and an investor in Truemed. The platform also sells Hyman’s dietary supplements.
Like many supplements, Function Health’s tests are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
“This kind of messaging favors products with weak scientific backing over treatments that have gone through rigorous FDA review,” said Dr. Peter Lurie, a former FDA official and current president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
Health Savings Accounts and Financial Incentives
Steering Health Spending Into HSAs
Means has stated that he has not worked on HSA-related policy since joining the government, as ethics rules prohibit officials from participating in decisions that could affect their finances.
However, before entering public service, he openly discussed his goal of channeling trillions of dollars in health care spending into flexible spending accounts. On a podcast with fitness personality Jillian Michaels, Means said he wanted to move Medicare, Medicaid, and other health funds into more consumer-controlled systems.
Truemed earns fees from transactions conducted through its platform, and Means also founded a lobbying group composed of MAHA entrepreneurs and Truemed vendors. The group previously listed HSA expansion as a policy objective, though Means now says it focused only on broad health care incentives rather than specific legislation.
Do HSAs Actually Help Most Americans?
Economic Concerns and Uneven Benefits
Health Savings Accounts have long been championed by Republicans as a way to reduce health care costs and encourage smarter spending. Created in 2003, they offer tax advantages to people enrolled in high-deductible insurance plans.
Economists, however, say HSAs have failed to control overall health spending and primarily benefit wealthier Americans. Those with higher incomes are more likely to contribute regularly and gain the largest tax advantages.
Data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities shows that Americans earning more than $1 million annually are the most consistent HSA contributors, while most account holders maintain balances under $500.
Recent HSA expansions included in former President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” are projected to cost the federal government $180 billion over the next decade.
“These are essentially tax breaks disguised as health policy,” said Gideon Lukens, a former White House budget official. “They overwhelmingly benefit high-income households.”
Conclusion
The AP’s reporting paints a complex picture of a senior health adviser whose public crusade against conflicts of interest coincides with his own financial ties to the wellness industry. As Main Findings From AP’s Report on an RFK Jr. Adviser’s Financial Interests show, the case raises broader questions about transparency, ethics, and the influence of private business interests in shaping public health policy.
