House Panel Passes Women’s Health Resolution

On May 6, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee approved, by unanimous consent, a resolution supporting National Women’s Health Week (H. Con. Res. 268).

Sponsored by Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), the resolution contains a number of findings, including:

• Women of all backgrounds should be encouraged to greatly reduce their risk of common diseases through preventative measures, such as engaging in regular physical activity, eating a nutritious diet, and visiting a healthcare provider to receive regular check-ups and preventative screenings;
• Significant disparities exist in the prevalence of disease among women of different backgrounds, including women with disabilities, African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Latinas, and American Indian/Alaskan Native women;
• It is imperative to educate women and girls about key female health issues;
• It is recognized that offices of women’s health within the Department of Health and Human Services, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the National Institutes of Health, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality are vital in providing critical services that support women’s health research, education, and other necessary services that benefit women of all ages, races, and ethnicities; and
• National Women’s Health Week begins on Mother’s Day and celebrates the efforts of national and community organizations working with partners and volunteers to improve awareness of key women’s health issues.

The resolution “supports the goals and ideals of National Women’s Health Week and requests that the president of the United States issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States and interested groups to observe National Women’s Health Week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”