The Senate confirmed Dr. Rachel Levine in a vote of 52-48 as assistant secretary of health in the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Her affirmation makes her the first openly transgender person to be approved by the Senate, as well as the top transgender federal official.
Levine was previously the Pennsylvania Secretary of Health, where she led the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and worked on programs to combat the opioid crisis, HIV and hepatitis C, and address LGBTQ health equality. She was also a past president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) – a nonprofit that represents the public health agencies of all 50 states, US territories, DC, and the three freely associated states.
As an assistant health secretary, she will serve under Health Secretary Xavier Becerra, confirmed by the Senate last week, and will likely play a key role in the federal government’s fight against the coronavirus. She’s in a cabinet with many other “firsts”including Becerra, Home Secretary Deb Haaland, Minister of Transport Pete Buttigieg, EPA chief Michael Regan and the US Trade Envoy Katherine Tai
Washington Senator Patty Murray tweeted after the vote.@SeanHealthy has been at the forefront of this pandemic, which is why she knows firsthand what our states and communities need @BuienRadarNL to address and end the challenges ahead. Glad her historic nomination has been confirmed today so she can start work. “
Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins joined all Democrats to approve Levine, who was nominated by President Biden in January. In a January 19 statement, he said, “Dr. Rachel Levine will bring the stable leadership and essential expertise we need to help people through this pandemic – regardless of zip code, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. – and meeting our country’s public health needs at this critical time and beyond. It is a historic and highly qualified choice to help guide our government’s health efforts. “
In her own statement after her appointment, Levine said, “I look forward to the opportunity to continue serving Pennsylvanians and all Americans as part of the Biden government if I am lucky enough to be confirmed in this position.”
Following its confirmation, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials congratulated Levine on Twitter:
Levine graduated from Harvard College and Tulane University School of Medicine, and completed her education in pediatrics and juvenile medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.