In a significant move for women’s health, President Joe Biden has signed a landmark executive order directing substantial funds towards women’s health initiatives, including research on menopause and mid-life health.
During a White House Women’s History Month event on Monday, the president revealed the executive order. First Lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former California first lady Maria Shriver were there.
$12 Billion Allocated to Enhance Women’s Health Research
This executive order earmarks $12 billion and represents the “most comprehensive set” of executive actions aimed at enhancing research on women’s health, as stated by the White House.
Despite the groundbreaking nature of the order, its fruition hinges on congressional approval. With Congress holding the “power of the purse,” lawmakers have the authority to either grant or deny the requested funding.
Speaking at the event, Maria Shriver emphasized the importance of congressional approval, urging action to secure the $12 billion investment proposed by President Biden.
Should Congress greenlight the initiative, the executive order will facilitate research into menopause and enable the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to initiate its inaugural “Pathways to Prevention” series focusing on menopause.
Shriver hailed the order as historic, particularly highlighting its emphasis on menopause research, noting it might be the first time a president has signed an executive order explicitly referencing “menopause” and “women’s mid-life health.”
The imperative for further research on reproductive aging is underscored by the need for racial health equity. Women of color in the United States encounter disparities in reproductive health access compared to their white counterparts, stemming from both individual racial bias and systemic racism within the healthcare system.
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President Biden’s Groundbreaking Executive Order
President Biden’s order extends beyond reproductive health, also allocating funding for research on mental health, substance use disorders, environmental health factors, and autoimmune diseases disproportionately affecting women.
In his remarks preceding the executive order signing, President Biden reiterated his commitment to reproductive freedom, pledging to restore Roe v. Wade if presented with a Congress supportive of reproductive rights.
The executive order stands as a pivotal step towards advancing women’s health initiatives and addressing longstanding gaps in research, signaling the Biden administration’s dedication to promoting gender equity and healthcare accessibility for all women across the nation.
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