In Washington, President Joe Biden is set to take significant steps on Monday aimed at enhancing research into women’s health throughout the federal government. He will also reveal new initiatives by various federal agencies, all part of a broader effort to boost funding for research into women’s health.
This move, although not directly linked to IVF research, aligns with the Biden campaign’s emphasis on reproductive health as a key issue for his reelection bid. The overturning of Roe v. Wade has heightened concerns over access to abortion and reproductive health, becoming a rallying point for many voters who support the Democrats.
The executive order Biden plans to sign on Monday will ensure that women’s health becomes a priority across different federal agencies. It aims to stimulate new research and mandates the Office of Management and Budget along with the Gender Policy Council to identify and address funding disparities, as stated by the White House.
Moreover, Biden, alongside the First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, will announce more than 20 actions or commitments by several federal agencies. Among these is an initiative by the National Institute of Health, which involves a significant investment of $200 million to support interdisciplinary research on women’s health.
Women’s reproductive rights were a central theme in Biden’s State of the Union address earlier this month. Vice President Kamala Harris has also been actively promoting reproductive freedoms across the country since late January.
Harris’s tour included a notable visit to a Planned Parenthood clinic in Minnesota last week, marking a historic moment as it was the first time a sitting president or vice president visited an abortion provider. Her tour also took her to states like California, Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, and Wisconsin.
A recent survey by KFF highlighted the importance of abortion access in the upcoming November elections, with nearly half of all registered U.S. voters indicating it would significantly impact their decision. One in eight voters stated that this issue would be their primary motivation at the polls.
The debate over abortion rights gained further momentum following a ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court last month, which classified frozen embryos as children. This led to a swift legislative response in Alabama, ensuring IVF treatments could continue amidst widespread concern among providers.
The ruling prompted discussions among even the most conservative members of Congress about the need for legislation to protect IVF treatments. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson recently stated that such matters should be decided by the states rather than by Congress.
Dr. Carolyn Mazure, chair of the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research, expressed optimism about the potential for these initiatives to bring about transformative change and improve the health and lives of women nationwide.
To commemorate Women’s History Month, Biden is scheduled to host a reception at the White House on Monday morning. He, along with Harris and the First Lady, will deliver remarks, further underscoring the administration’s commitment to women’s health and rights.