Women’s Health Advocates Rally on Capitol Hill for Legislative Action
Dozens of passionate women’s health activists convened for Women’s Health Capitol Hill Day this week, aiming to raise awareness among lawmakers about the significant gaps in research and treatment for women. With the midterm elections on the horizon and fiscal year 2027 budget discussions in progress, the group is committed to influencing key budget priorities.
Key Legislative Priorities
Organized by Women’s Health Advocates (WHA), a burgeoning nonpartisan group founded by lobbyist Liz Powell, the event sought to enlist bipartisan support from Congress members. “This movement is spreading like wildfire,” Powell stated at the event, emphasizing the growing realization among women that their voices can drive change.
The group has outlined several key priorities, including:
- $200 million for an interdisciplinary women’s health research fund across all NIH institutes.
- $115 million for the Office of Research on Women’s Health.
- $5 million to the NIH Menopause Research Into Action Network.
- $10 million for Women Warfighter Health and Readiness Research at the Department of Defense.
- The Find It Early Act to ensure all women have access to accurate breast cancer screening at no additional cost.
- CMS reimbursement parity to address discrepancies in reimbursement for procedures performed on male and female patients.
- FDA Women’s Health Innovation Pilot to expedite the innovation cycle.
Challenges and Advocacy
Significant cuts in NIH funding under the Trump administration, totaling over $2 billion, have disproportionately impacted women’s health research. “I am tired of women’s health being constantly sidelined,” Senator Patty Murray stated, highlighting the need for continued advocacy.
Representative Kelly Morrison, a former gynecologist, echoed these sentiments, describing recent policy changes as a “disaster” for access and affordability in healthcare. Claire Gill of the National Menopause Foundation lamented the historical underfunding of women’s health research, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these gaps.
Moving Forward with Support and Innovation
Recent legislative efforts, including a bipartisan bill to enhance menopause research, indicate growing support in Congress. “We are 50% of the population and deserve to be taken seriously,” said Murray, underscoring the importance of federal prioritization of women’s health.
Efforts to address systemic issues in healthcare, such as expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage and supporting healthcare worker mental health, were also discussed by Morrison. These initiatives aim to build a robust workforce to meet women’s health needs.
Nada Hanafi, founder of MedTech Strategy Advisors, emphasized the role of the FDA in fostering innovation, calling for clearer pathways and collaboration to enhance women’s health research and development.
Empowering Voices and Building Community
Beyond legislative advocacy, WHA has fostered a supportive patient community. Lauren Ruotolo, who has McCune-Albright syndrome, shared how the movement empowers patients through shared experiences and advocacy.
This sense of community and empowerment is pivotal in advancing women’s health on both personal and legislative fronts.
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