Dr. Rachel Levine, Pennsylvania’s secretary of health, speaks during a virtual press conference on March 20, 2020, about COVID-19 cases and infections in the state.
Photo: State of Pennsylvania. Dr. Rachel Levine on Wednesday became the first transgender official confirmed by the U.S. Senate, making history as she was confronted with transphobia and mounting questions about her handling of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
Levine will serve as the assistant secretary of Health and Human Services in the Biden Administration. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pennsylvania, voted against Levine after he criticized her for a lack of accountability, transparency and proper oversight as thousands of seniors died in nursing