Women face unique health issues that are significantly under-researched, including autoimmune diseases, maternal mortality, depression, and much more. All issues lead to poorer health outcomes, reduced quality of patient care, and decreased life expectancy. Historically, female patients have been excluded entirely from clinical trials, studies, and research, which has resulted in wide gaps in women’s health data. Not only has this left healthcare providers with a limited understanding of female anatomy, pain, and sex-based differences, but female patients are also more likely to be misdiagnosed during a health crisis due to a deeply rooted gender bias. 

Recently, the Trump Administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has implemented funding cuts to women's health initiatives and grants. As stated here by the PRB, “A new analysis by the Center for American Progress shows DOGE has cut at least $3 billion in grants for research, education, and other programs that help women and girls—especially women of color…The Trump administration’s DOGE cuts are slashing investments to meet the unique health needs of women…DOGE canceled a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant on the structure and growth of uterine fibroid tumors, which affect 70 to 80 percent of women by the time they reach age 50.” (Jones & Estep, 2025).  These immense funding cuts will negatively impact female patient care, as well as leaving women with less education on the unique needs of the female body. To truly comprehend these unique needs, there must be more data available to develop healthy habits and effective treatments, specifically designed for female bodies. Without sufficient research funding, healthcare developments will continue to suffer at the expense of women’s and girls’ health. By developing more research in women’s health, female patient care can thrive by supporting women’s health issues and avoiding preventable disease and illness.

We must demand that Kirsten Gillibrand continue to oppose the DOGE’s National Institute of Health (NIH) Women’s Health Initiative funding cuts and actively endorse legislation supporting women’s health research and female patient care. Please sign and share this petition with your community. Together, we can spark change in women’s health data by supporting adequate funding for research.