Press Releases :: July 20, 2009

Baldwin Seeks Permanent Authorization of Women’s Health Offices in Five Federal Agencies

Washington, DC – Today Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) was joined by Rep. Christopher Murphy (D-CT) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) in introducing the Women’s Health Office Act, H.R. 3242, which would close the gaps in research, policy, programs, education and training related to women’s health care by providing permanent authorization to the offices of women’s health in five federal agencies.

“Without permanent authorization, those offices and the programs and research they sponsor will always be vulnerable to understaffing, underfunding, or complete elimination,” Rep. Maloney said. “Recent initiatives like the establishment of the White House Council on Women and Girls shows that we’re finally starting to get it – women have unique experiences, needs, and interests, and these need to be considered and addressed.”

“President Obama’s administration is providing more leadership on women’s health than we have seen for the last eight years. And Congress can partner with the President by permanently raising the profile of women’s issues no matter who is in the White House,” Rep. Murphy said.

“If we are to achieve quality, affordable health care for all, we must eliminate disparities that exist because of gender in research, training, and treatment. By acknowledging and addressing women’s unique health care needs, we improve the health of women and the well-being of their families,” said Congresswoman Baldwin.

Currently, the offices of women’s health at the National Institutes of Health and a position at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration are currently the only two federally authorized and protected by law.

The five other offices of women’s health, 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, currently lack this protection.

By giving greater security to the federal offices of women’s health, the Women’s Health Office Act ensures that these offices can continue to provide vital leadership on women’s health needs.