Order also directs creation of White House Women’s Health Task Force
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump took to the White House Rose Garden on Monday to announce a women’s health initiative. Melania Trump said an executive order will establish a women’s health division within the National Institutes of Health and a White House task force on the subject, according to United Press International.
Melania Trump said the executive order will establish “a new standard for women’s health in America.” She framed the announcement as a generational shift in women’s health research. “This is a transformative moment for women in America,” she said. “Beginning today, we will change the reality of women’s health.” She added, “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.”
President Trump opened his remarks discussing renovations to the Rose Garden and his ballroom and “military complex” construction project before addressing the women’s health initiative. He lauded the first lady’s past “Be Best” and “Fostering the future” initiatives and the latest initiative.
“Today we’re taking historic action to promote women’s health through all phases of life,” Trump said. He added, “Despite amazing advances in medical science, many diseases and conditions that disproportionately affect women remain chronically understudied.”
The executive order directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a women’s health division in the National Institutes of Health and a White House Women’s Health Task Force. The plan will involve investments in artificial intelligence and research funding, UPI reported.
Trump said he was surprised a women’s health division did not already exist. “When I heard about it I said, ‘Are you sure they don’t have that?’” he said. “Who the hell wouldn’t have a woman’s health division? Melania said they don’t have it.”