With the reported historic nomination of Dr. Rachel Levine as Assistant Secretary of Health, President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris have continued to keep their promise to create an administration that reflects the diversity and life experiences of America.

Dr. Rachel Levine, a highly experienced and qualified public health leader, has led Pennsylvania’s public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic superbly. At a time when access to health care is a growing crisis for transgender people made worse by anti-LGBTQ legislation and legislators across the nation, Dr. Levine has the empathy to understand the health needs of our diverse country and the skillset to improve them.

At a time when COVID-19 still rages, we strongly urge speedy confirmation of Dr. Rachel Levine’s nomination by the United States Senate to aid the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to contain this pandemic and rebuild our nation better, stronger and more equal than before.