rachel-levine
Rural health care just got an advocate in Pa.’s Levine. Five ways she and Biden’s team can help it thrive | Opinion
Attention has focused on Levine making history as the first openly transgender official confirmed, but her experience with rural health care innovation has the potential to improve rural lives.
Pa.’s Levine wins Senate confirmation to No. 2 job at Health & Human Services; Casey, Toomey split on vote
The Senate voted 52-48 to confirm her as an assistant secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services. Two Republicans, Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, joined Democrats in supporting her nomination.
With Senate panel’s action, Pa.’s Levine moves a step closer to becoming highest-ranking transgender person in U.S. gov’t
During her confirmation hearing last month, Levine faced a tirade from Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., about gender-affirmation surgery for minors.
Wolf taps OB-GYN to serve as new Pa. Physician General
Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday that he has nominated a board certified obstetrician and gynecologist to serve as Pennsylvania’s next Physician General. Dr. Denise Johnson, the former chief medical officer of Meadville Medical Center, in Crawford County, and past director of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape has been tapped to succeed Dr. Wendy Braund, who served […]
Waxing optimistic and looking forward to spring | Five for the Weekend
Happy Weekend, all. With the current weather predictions showing highs in the 50s and 60s next week, I already feel a sense relief that better days are ahead (and certainly warmer ones). While I am feeling slight relief, I’m not sure if it’s due to spring’s impending arrival, the conclusion of my spring semester of […]
Pa.’s Levine endures transphobic tirade from Rand Paul during Senate confirmation hearing
Paul, an ophthalmologist, repeatedly pressed Levine on whether she would support allowing minors to override objections from their parents when it comes to accessing gender-affirmation therapies.
With Health Sec. Levine likely headed to Washington, Pa.’s transgender residents look to a more welcoming future | Frank Pizzoli
Levine’s confirmation would be “the perfect example of recognition and advancement based on hard work and education. These are the values our country was founded on, one advocate said.
Pa. to expand COVID-19 vaccine distribution to more people
People aged 65 and older and anyone over the age of 16 with certain medical conditions will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine sooner, state health officials said Tuesday. The changes were made to reflect changes in federal guidance, officials said during an online briefing with journalists on Tuesday afternoon. Before the change, the […]
Biden taps Pa. Health Secretary Levine for federal post
President-elect Joe Biden has tapped Pennsylvania’s top public health official for a cabinet-level post, the incoming administration said early Tuesday. Biden has named state Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine as his assistant health secretary, putting her on track to become the first openly transgender official to face confirmation by the U.S. Senate. The news was […]
Levine: 138k doses of COVID-19 vaccine, provider map for health care workers, expected this week
The news of more doses comes as the state recorded 12,844 new positive cases over the weekend, bringing the statewide total to 726,154. Since March, there have been 17,853 deaths attributed to COVID-19 statewide.
Pa. encourages school districts to return younger students to the classroom
(*This story was updated at 2:51 p.m. on 1/7/21 to include comment from Pennsylvania State Education Association President Rich Askey) After months of strictly online or blended learning, officials at the state Department of Education are encouraging school districts in counties with a substantial level of community spread to return elementary school students, along with […]
After a slow start, Pa. Health Secretary Levine hopeful pace of COVID-19 vaccinations will increase in 2021
The remarks state Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine made Monday followed reports that the United States fell far short of its goal to inoculate 20 million people by the end of December.