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# Rachel Levine confirmed as health secretary
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/rachel-levine-confirmed-as-health-secretary/
- Published: 2021-03-25T18:30:39.000Z
- Updated: 2021-03-25T13:47:55.000Z
- Description: Dr Rachel Levine has been confirmed by the US Senate as Joe Biden’s assistant health secretary.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: Health, News, Politics, COVID-19, Dr Rachel Levine, Human Rights Campaign, Joe Biden, LGBTQ, Pennsylvania, Transgender, US

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/dr-rachel-levine-1.jpg)

**Dr Rachel Levine** has been confirmed by the **US** Senate as **Joe Biden’s** assistant health secretary, making her the highest ranking out trans official in the country’s history, according to *[ABC News](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/rachel-levine-confirmed-senate-highest-ranking-openly-transgender/story?id=76653829&ref=scenemag.co.uk)*. The Senate confirmed her position in a 52-48 vote, and she will now join the US health department to help tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.

Levine was previously serving as a top health official in **Pennsylvania** and led the state’s response to the pandemic. The Senate’s health committee chair, **Patty Murray**, praised Levine’s abilities, and congratulated the government for ‘reflecting the people it serves’, calling her appointment as health secretary a *“historic”* step forward.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/r-levine-1.jpg)

Biden previously endorsed Levine, [saying](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/dr-rachel-levine-made-us-health-secretary/): *“Dr. Rachel Levine will bring the steady leadership and essential expertise we need to get people through this pandemic…She is a historic and deeply qualified choice to help lead our administration’s health efforts.”* LGBTQ+ activists and advocacy groups are celebrating the her confirmation, with the **Human Rights Campaign** [tweeting](https://twitter.com/HRC/status/1374837238509502473?ref=scenemag.co.uk): *“Trans people are leaders, innovators and change-makers – and we deserve a seat at every table.”*