Sign-on the letter

 

RE: Support Women’s Health Research and Innovation – Pass the MINI Act (H.R. 1672) 

 

Dear Majority Leader Thune, Speaker Johnson, Minority Leader Schumer, and Minority Leader Jeffries:

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We, the undersigned organizations, write to express our strong support for increased investment in women’s health research and innovation. Women’s health has long been under-funded and under-researched, leading to significant gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and overall health outcomes.[1]  We urge Congress to prioritize policies that advance research, expand access to new therapies, and foster innovation in critical areas impacting millions of women across the country.

Women represent over half of the U.S. population, yet research specific to women’s health conditions remains disproportionately underfunded.[2] Despite significant advancements, there are persistent disparities in areas such as cardiovascular health, rare diseases, neurological conditions, and pediatric diseases, many of which uniquely or disproportionately impact women. Maintaining funding for research is essential to closing these gaps and driving forward lifesaving innovations. Additionally, we urge Congress to support policies that support women’s health and their capacity as caregivers. 

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The Maintaining Investments in New Innovation (MINI) Act (H.R.1672) would ensure continued investment in groundbreaking treatments for cardiovascular health, rare diseases, neurological conditions, and pediatric diseases by mitigating unintended consequences of the Inflation Reduction Act that could jeopardize the future of medical innovation. By encouraging a robust research ecosystem, this legislation would help advance the development of therapies for conditions affecting women and children suffering from diseases that do not currently have treatments. Moreover, the treatments affected by this legislation ease the burden on caregivers—primarily women—by reducing medical visits, crises, side effects, and costs, ultimately improving both their own well-being and that of their loved ones.

We encourage congressional action on the following priorities:

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• Cardiovascular Health: Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among women, yet it is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Increased funding for heart disease research and targeted public health initiatives are crucial to improving outcomes.[3]

• Rare Diseases: Many rare diseases impact women disproportionately or uniquely, yet research and therapeutic development remain limited.[4] Strengthening policies that support rare disease innovation and access to treatments, such as the MINI Act, is vital.

• Neurological Conditions: Women are at higher risk for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and migraines, yet funding for these conditions does not reflect the burden of disease.[5] More resources are needed to improve early detection and treatment.

• Pediatric Health: Investing in research and programs that address pediatric diseases is critical to ensuring healthy outcomes for future generations.

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We are committed to working with you to advance policies that prioritize women’s health and strengthen our nation’s commitment to medical innovation. Thank you for your leadership and dedication to this important issue. We look forward to your support and to continued collaboration.

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Sincerely,

HealthyWomen

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[Your Organization Here]

 

 

 

 

[1] Women’s Health Concerns Are Often Dismissed - HealthyWomen. Published August 23, 2023. https://www.healthywomen.org/your-health/womens-health-concerns-are-often-dismissed

[2] Gordon D. It’s Long Past Time to Invest in Women’s Health. HealthyWomen. Published June 16, 2021. https://www.healthywomen.org/your-care/past-time-invest-womens-health

[3] Why Don’t Women Get the Same Treatment for Heart Disease as Men? - HealthyWomen. Published February 22, 2023. https://www.healthywomen.org/condition/heart-disease-in-women-treatment

[4] Froeber J. Rare Diseases 101. HealthyWomen. Published January 22, 2025.  https://www.healthywomen.org/rare-diseases

[5] Women's Brain Project. Sex and Gender Differences in Brain and Mental Health: The Economic Case for Research Investment and Policy Change. Economist Impact; 2023. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://impact.economist.com/perspectives/sites/default/files/womensbrainproject_report_230306.pdf

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