Washington, D.C. – Dr. Rachel Levine, Secretary of Health, today testified as part of the Endocrine Society’s Congressional Briefing on Transgender Health, sponsored by Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ).
“The transgender community faces unique health care needs, and this opportunity to testify about those needs is an important part of the discussion,” Dr. Levine said. “As a transgender person, I am honored to share my personal experience with Congress and discuss the policy needs of the community. These discussions help ensure that equality exists for the LGBTQ community.”
The goal of the Congressional Briefing was to share information from the medical, patient, and research community on the health care services needed by transgender individuals and the current challenges in accessing these services.
Dr. Levine testified about her personal experience as a transgender person and how policymakers can support ongoing work to improve the patient care experience for transgender individuals.
Joining Dr. Levine as speakers were the executive director of the Mount Sinai Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery and the director of the Sexual & Gender Minority Research Office within the National Institute of Health.
Gov. Wolf has established an LGBTQ work group, which allows leaders within the administration to work together to create programs and processes that are fair and inclusive in healthcare, insurance, and many other areas. Dr. Levine serves as the chair of that work group.
For more information on transgender health, visit the Department of Health website at health.pa.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
MEDIA CONTACT: Nate Wardle, 717-787-1783 or ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov
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