Issue: Women's Health Office Act 

Support the Women’s Health Office Act by Sending a Letter to Congress

What Is the Issue and Why Should I Care?

Women’s health research is in jeopardy and your support is needed to ensure its future! Special offices in the federal government dedicated to improving the health of all women are operating on shaky ground. At any moment, their funding could be cut or they could be forced to close their doors.

The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) is working with Congress to see that this does not happen and women’s health remains a top priority. A bill called the Women’s Health Office Act (WHOA) was reintroduced in the House of Representatives on July 16, 2009 by Representatives Maloney (D-NY) and Murphy (D-CT). If made law WHOA (H.R. 3432) would protect the offices and provide them with statutory authorization. To read Represenative Maloney's floor statement on WHOA, click here.

SWHR is doing everything in its power to guarantee that women’s health research has a bright future. By joining forces with SWHR in support of WHOA, you too can help see that a positive change is on the horizon for the health of all women!

An example of the importance of this legislation was shown to us in late February 2007, when it seemed likely that the FDA’s Office of Women’s Health (OWH) would have $1.2 million of its $4 million annual budget cut. February is almost half way into the fiscal year and OWH had spent or committed more money than it will have for the entire year. The cut would have forced the office to stop all programmatic operations for the rest of 2007. The looming cut represented roughly half of the OWH program budget, which goes toward research grants and outreach activities, both of which are tasks Congress specifically asks OWH to perform. The cut would have gone against presidential and congressional requests, as both intend for OWH to be funded at $4 million in 2007.

Fortunately public outcry and the efforts of several Members of Congress prevented this budget cut from actually occurring, but it was a wake up call as to the necessity of WHOA.

What Can I Do to Make a Difference?
You can help convince lawmakers to support the bill and see that it gains momentum in the House of Representatives. We urge you to contact your Representative and encourage them to cosponsor and vote for the bill. Now is a great time to get involved and ask your members to take action!

You can do this by sending a letter to your Representative. Click here to read and send the letter.

Send the WHOA Letter to your Representative now!

(Page last updated: August 3, 2009)