Trump signs order creating NIH women's health division and White House task force
In short
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday creating a Women's Health Division at the National Institutes of Health and a White House Women's Health Task Force. First lady Melania Trump pushed the initiative, and the task force will be led by chief of staff Susie Wiles and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. AP reported that the order sets no specific funding goals.
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President Donald Trump on Monday directed the federal government to bolster research into women's health through all stages of life, a move pushed by his wife, first lady Melania Trump, according to AP. He signed an executive order creating a Women's Health Division at the National Institutes of Health and a separate White House Women's Health Task Force. CBS News said Melania Trump joined him for a signing ceremony in the Rose Garden. [ 4 , 13 , 17 ]
White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, who recently completed treatment for breast cancer, and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will lead the task force. Trump said the panel will coordinate with various federal agencies and programs. The panel was set to hold its first meeting on Monday. AP reported that the order does not include specific funding goals. [ 4 , 17 ]
"Beginning today we will change the reality of women's health," Melania Trump said. "Previous generations fought for women's rights. Our generation will fight to discover the cures that will ensure a woman can live her life in health and to the fullest." According to CBS News, she said the order will make progress on five objectives: directing research funding to find cures that disproportionately affect women, using artificial intelligence to speed up medical discoveries, accelerating new therapeutics for women, delivering medical breakthroughs at an affordable price, and making conversations about women's health less taboo. [ 4 , 13 ]
Trump, who spoke after his wife, said the order will "promote new research and really go after the understudied diseases affecting women." AP said the order is also intended to promote diagnostic technology and improve treatment. He called it a "historic action" and praised the first lady's work. He also said, "Who the hell wouldn't have a women's health division?" [ 4 , 13 ]
CBS News reported that Trump credited the first lady with conceiving the idea of a women's health division within NIH, and that she added her signature to the order after his, which CBS said has no legal weight. The New York Post said the two signed the order together. CBS News said it is not yet clear how much funding will go to research, therapeutics or affordability, and that Trump offered no specifics about what Americans will soon hear. [ 9 , 13 ]
The White House said the order strengthens research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for women and girls throughout every stage of life. The New York Times said the effort comes as Republicans are struggling to win over female voters two weeks before the midterm elections, and that women's organizations and patient groups have been clamoring for years for the federal government to spend more on women's health. [ 7 , 10 , 19 ]
Why it matters
The order directs the federal government to bolster research into women's health through all stages of life. CBS News said it is not yet clear how much funding will go to research, therapeutics or affordability, and the New York Times linked the announcement to Republicans' effort to win female voters before the midterm elections.
Key facts
- Trump signed an executive order creating a Women's Health Division at the National Institutes of Health and a White House Women's Health Task Force. [ 4 , 5 , 12 , 13 , 17 ]
- The signing took place at a Rose Garden ceremony with Melania Trump. [ 13 , 17 ]
- White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will lead the task force. [ 4 , 17 ]
- The task force was set to hold its first meeting on Monday. [ 4 , 5 , 17 ]
- The order does not include specific funding goals, according to AP. [ 4 , 5 , 17 ]
- Melania Trump named five objectives, including directing research funding to cures that disproportionately affect women and using artificial intelligence to speed up medical discoveries. [ 13 ]
- The White House said the order strengthens research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for women and girls throughout every stage of life. [ 7 , 10 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Trump signed an executive order creating a Women's Health Division at the National Institutes of Health and a White House Women's Health Task Force. [ 4 , 7 , 12 , 13 ]
- Melania Trump pushed the initiative, and Trump credited her for it. [ 4 , 12 , 13 ]
- Wiles and Kennedy will lead the task force. [ 4 , 17 ]
- The order does not include specific funding goals. [ 4 , 17 ]
Still unclear
- How much funding will go to research, accelerating therapeutics or making medical breakthroughs more affordable for women. CBS News said this is not yet clear, and Trump gave no specifics about the "incredible things" he said Americans will soon hear.
- Whether the first lady's signature on the order carries legal effect. CBS News said she added her signature after the president and that it has no legal weight; the New York Post said the two signed the order together.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Reuters reported that Trump would create a new NIH division and a task force for women's health. [ 1 ]
- NBC News carried live coverage of Trump's remarks and signing from the Rose Garden. [ 2 ]
- The White House published a fact sheet on the order. [ 7 ]
- The White House published the text of the order. [ 8 ]
- The New York Times reported on the initiative, saying Republicans are struggling to win over female voters two weeks before the midterm elections. [ 19 ]