On May 21, over 100 advocates—including founders, doctors, investors, researchers, and patients—gathered at Congress to stress a crucial point: women’s health must not be neglected in the House health appropriations bill. Coming from nearly 25 states, they represent a growing movement demanding attention to women’s health. Organized by Women’s Health Advocates, this bipartisan group is the only one focused solely on women’s health policy.
Women make up 50.5% of the U.S. population, but only 9% of National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant spending goes to women’s health research—a number that has been declining even as the overall NIH budget has increased. Despite outliving men, women often face poorer health outcomes. This discrepancy isn’t just a statistic; it reflects a serious policy oversight.
### The Urgency for Action
Why is this meeting so timely? Liz Powell, founder of Women’s Health Advocates, says the discussions about funding are happening right now. With the midterm elections on the horizon, lawmakers are particularly receptive to feedback from constituents. Advocates walking the halls of Congress symbolize a pressing call for action.
In April 2025, the NIH faced a severe budget cut under the Trump administration, jeopardizing critical women’s health initiatives like the Women’s Health Initiative. This sparked an outcry, leading to a rapid reversal of budget cuts, yet the impact was still felt, particularly among women researchers.
### Key Demands for Change
Women’s Health Advocates brought a targeted policy agenda to address gaps in women’s health, from research funding to medical care. Here are some of their major requests:
1. $200 million for an interdisciplinary women’s health research fund.
2. $115 million for the Office of Research on Women’s Health.
3. $5 million for the NIH Menopause Research Into Action Network.
4. $10 million to study women’s health within the Department of Defense.
The request for menopause research is particularly urgent. Women can lose up to 20% of their bone density shortly after menopause, which increases the risk of fractures and related health issues. Osteoporotic fractures lead to more hospitalizations than heart attacks or strokes, costing the healthcare system substantially.
Claire Gill, head of the National Menopause Foundation, emphasizes that improving health during menopause could greatly benefit both individuals and the economy.
### Broader Legislative Efforts
In addition to funding requests, Women’s Health Advocates proposed important legislation. The Find It Early Act aims to ensure all women have access to breast cancer screenings at no cost. This is critical, as dense breast tissue can mask cancer in standard mammograms, leaving many women unprotected.
Another proposal seeks to address reimbursement discrepancies between male and female health procedures, where women often receive lower compensation for similar surgeries. Additionally, a Women’s Health Innovation Pilot would streamline the approval of new health technologies for women.
### Support from Congress
Several lawmakers voiced their support during the meeting. Representative Yassamin Ansari highlighted how women’s health has historically been overlooked and stressed the need for immediate action. Rep. Kelly Morrison, an OB-GYN herself, aims to expand Medicaid access to birthing centers, addressing significant gaps in maternity care across the country.
### A Call for Continued Advocacy
Women’s Health Advocates is rapidly growing—from 90 advocates in its first year to over 100 now, reaching all 50 states. This demonstrates the increasing demand for Congress to prioritize women’s health issues. The ongoing drafting of the appropriations bill will determine whether these crucial needs are met or ignored.
In a landscape where women’s health has long been sidelined, the time for change is critical. The commitment from advocates and the attention of lawmakers could turn these pressing issues into actionable policies.
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NIH women's health research,Women's health policy,Women's Health Advocates,Capitol Hill women's health,Congress
