CAMP Rehoboth backs Dr. Rachel Levine’s nomination

Following the Biden administration’s historic nomination of Dr. Rachel Levine for assistant secretary of health, CAMP Rehoboth has joined hundreds of organizations across the United States to urge the U.S. Senate to swiftly confirm her to this position.

More than 350 organizations from 42 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, led by the National LGBT Cancer Network, Fenway Health, and Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center in Allentown, Pa., have signed a letter detailing Levine’s impeccable credentials and preparedness to serve as assistant secretary of health.

Levine would make history as the first transgender person ever confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The letter touts her as “the best possible candidate.” To view the full letter, visit bit.ly/LevineSupportLetter.

“Dr. Levine is a fervent public servant, a leader and a proven and respected health authority.” said Chris Beagle, board chair for CAMP Rehoboth. “Her talent and skills combined with her willingness to bring the diverse needs of all individuals to the forefront, will improve public health for all Americans.”

Levine is the current secretary of health for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as the president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. She previously served as physician general for Pennsylvania. She has been confirmed, with overwhelming bipartisan support, three times by the Pennsylvania State Senate, and she has managed Pennsylvania’s response to the opioid crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As Secretary of Health for the sixth most populous state in the country, Dr. Levine routinely works with the U.S. Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary of Health’s office building bridges between state public health policies and federal actions,” said Sean Cahill, PhD, director of health policy research at the Fenway Institute. “This experience will be invaluable in the coming months, when there will be an urgent need for coordinating federal COVID-19 vaccination and prevention efforts with state-level responses.”

“As another trans leader in public health, I am thrilled to see such a revered member of my own community be this successful, yet it is my greatest wish that the U.S. Senate bases its approval on her qualifications,” said Scout, executive director of the National LGBT Cancer Network. “The fact that she is trans is an inspiration for the many of us who have never had a role model this senior before. The fact that she is supremely qualified means her trans status, while historic and inspirational, should not be a factor in her confirmation.”

David Mariner, executive director of CAMP Rehoboth, echoed the excitement over Levine’s health qualifications.  “As a community center rooted in providing health and wellness programming for the LGBTQ+ community, we are, of course, delighted that she is a member of our community. But the reality is that she truly stands heads and shoulders above the rest in her qualifications and ability to hold this appointment,” said Mariner.