Women's Health Advocates Rally on Capitol Hill to Address Funding Gaps

Dozens of women’s health advocates convened on Capitol Hill this week for Women's Health Capitol Hill Day. The event aimed to highlight the glaring disparities in research and treatment for women, engaging over a dozen bipartisan members of Congress in discussions about advancing key budget priorities.

Liz Powell, founder of Women’s Health Advocates (WHA), a rapidly growing bipartisan group, organized the event. “This movement is spreading like wildfire across the country,” Powell said. “Women are realizing they have a voice and are using it to make a difference.”

The advocates are requesting several specific funding allocations:

1. $200 million for an interdisciplinary women’s health research fund across National Institutes of Health (NIH) institutes.
2. $115 million for the Office of Research on Women’s Health within the NIH.
3. $5 million for the NIH Menopause Research Into Action Network.
4. $10 million for Women Warfighter Health & Readiness research within the Department of Defense.
5. The Find It Early Act: Ensuring all women can access accurate early breast cancer screening with no copay.
6. CMS Reimbursement Parity: Addressing a system that reimburses more for the same procedures when performed on male patients.
7. FDA Women’s Health Innovation Pilot: A dedicated pathway to accelerate the innovation cycle.

These requests come at a critical time, as widespread NIH funding cuts under the Trump administration have disproportionately affected women’s health research and female investigators. Congress members have taken notice of these disparities.

“I’m tired of the fact that women’s health is consistently sidelined and treated as something only to be discussed behind closed doors,” said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.). “This administration is dismantling programs and research to support women’s health. It’s outrageous and wrong.”

Addressing Long-standing Disparities

Recent policy changes have compounded the challenges faced by women's health advocates. Rep. Kelly Morrison, M.D. (D-Minn.), a former practicing obstetrician and gynecologist, echoed Murray’s concerns during a Congressional briefing organized by WHA. “Recent policy changes cutting healthcare coverage and medical and scientific research are already combining to create significant barriers for women’s health,” she stated.

The cuts have had a ripple effect across various areas of women's health. For instance, the NIH Menopause Research Into Action Network is seeking $5 million to address the lack of comprehensive menopause research. This network aims to translate existing knowledge into actionable clinical guidelines and public health initiatives.

Similarly, the Women Warfighter Health & Readiness research initiative within the Department of Defense seeks $10 million to study the unique health needs of female service members. These funds are crucial for addressing conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which affects women differently and more frequently than men.

Why It Matters

The implications of these funding gaps extend beyond individual health outcomes; they affect entire communities. When women's health is compromised, families suffer, and the economic burden on society increases. Ensuring equitable access to healthcare and research funding can lead to better health outcomes, reduced medical costs, and a more resilient workforce.

Sen. Murray emphasized the broader societal impact of these disparities. “Women’s health is not just a women’s issue; it’s a public health issue that affects everyone,” she said. “We need to prioritize this in our budget and policies.”

As lawmakers deliberate on the FY2027 appropriations, the voices of women's health advocates are crucial in shaping a more equitable future. Their efforts today could lead to significant advancements in research, treatment, and policy that benefit generations to come.