The Society for Women's Health Research (SWHR) applauded the introduction of the Women's Health Office Act, which would make permanent existing offices and positions in five federal agencies.
Introduced by Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), the bill seeks to establish permanent women's health offices to ensure adequate funding, appropriate staffing, and long-term protection for critical health research services to American women.
“We must have advocates within government who can champion women's health and monitor the actions and progress of our research and public services agencies,” said SWHR President and CEO Phyllis Greenberger, MSW.
“Over the past several years, increases in federal funding for women's health research have not kept pace with increases in federal health funding overall, and this legislation would help rectify that.”
The law would provide statutory authority to women's health offices in the Department of Health and Human Services, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Food and Drug Administration.
“Improving the health of women in this country and around the world requires a far greater understanding of women's health needs and conditions than we currently possess, as well as an ongoing evaluation in the areas of research, education, prevention, treatment, and delivery of services,” said Sen. Snowe.
