President orders a new women's health research division and a White House task force
As of our last check on November 3, 2026, this has been signed by the President. It may need agency action before it affects employers.
We check the Federal Register daily for later actions. We check federal court opinions for rulings on published rules weekly, on Mondays. A ruling can take time to reach us, so not finding one here does not mean there is none.
In short
- What changed
- The President ordered the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to create a Women's Health Division and set up a White House Women's Health Task Force, which includes the Secretary of Labor. The order also revokes Executive Order 14120 and a 2023 presidential memorandum on women's health research.
- Who's affected
- The order directs federal agencies and officials. It reaches no private or public employers directly.
- What to do
- This order creates no new duties for employers. Benefits and compliance teams may want to watch for any policy or regulatory proposals that come out of the Task Force or its member agencies.
What changed
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From the sourceSec. 2(a)
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), shall establish a Women's Health Division within an appropriate institute or center within 90 days.
The order directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the NIH Director, to establish a Women's Health Division within 90 days.
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From the sourceSec. 2(b)(vi)
develop accountability for grant recipients to enhance adherence to the NIH policy requiring research to account for sex as a biological variable
Among its duties, the Women's Health Division is to develop accountability for grant recipients to follow the NIH policy requiring research to account for sex as a biological variable.
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From the sourceSec. 3(a)
There is hereby established the White House Women's Health Task Force (Task Force) co-chaired by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff.
Also: Sec. 3(b)(iii)
(iii) the Secretary of Labor;
The order establishes a White House Women's Health Task Force, co-chaired by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the White House Chief of Staff. The Secretary of Labor is one of its members.
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From the sourceSec. 4(a)
supports necessary policy and regulatory reforms to ensure timely and stage-specific prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care for women.
The Task Force is to support policy and regulatory reforms aimed at timely, stage-specific prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for women. The order does not name any specific reform.
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From the sourceSec. 5
The following executive actions are hereby revoked:
Also: Sec. 5(a)
Executive Order 14120 of March 18, 2024 (Advancing Women's Health Research and Innovation).
Also: Sec. 5(b)
Presidential Memorandum of November 13, 2023 (White House Initiative on Women's Health Research).
The order revokes Executive Order 14120 of March 18, 2024, and the Presidential Memorandum of November 13, 2023, on women's health research.
Who is affected
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Our analysisSec. 2(a)
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), shall establish a Women's Health Division
Also: Sec. 6(b)
This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
The order directs federal officials and agencies. It places no direct duty on private or public employers.
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From the sourceSec. 3(c)
may receive expert input from leaders in women's health, technology, academia, the private sector, philanthropy, and other relevant subject matter areas
Also: Sec. 4(a)(iv)
consulting with States, tribal nations, local jurisdictions, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, the private sector, philanthropic entities, and other relevant stakeholders
The Task Force may receive input from, and is to consult with, the private sector and other stakeholders.
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Our analysisSec. 2(b)(vi)
develop accountability for grant recipients to enhance adherence to the NIH policy requiring research to account for sex as a biological variable
Organizations that receive NIH research grants may see new accountability measures once the Women's Health Division acts, though the order does not describe them.
What it means in practice
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Our analysisSec. 1
it is the policy of the United States to prioritize translating research into improved clinical care that benefits women and girls
The order does not change hiring, pay, leave or benefit plan rules, so it calls for no immediate change to HR, payroll or benefits operations.
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Our analysisSec. 3(b)(iii)
(iii) the Secretary of Labor;
Also: Sec. 4(a)
supports necessary policy and regulatory reforms
Because the Secretary of Labor sits on the Task Force and the Task Force supports policy and regulatory reforms, later agency actions could touch workplaces. The order names no such action.
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From the sourceSec. 6(c)
This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States
The order states that it creates no right or benefit enforceable at law by any party.
What to do
Required
The order creates no employer obligation yet. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services, through NIH, to set up a Women's Health Division and creates a White House task force. Watch for any rule or guidance a member agency, such as the Department of Labor, issues as a result.
Worth considering
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Our suggestionSec. 4(a)
supports necessary policy and regulatory reforms
Also: Sec. 3(b)(iii)
(iii) the Secretary of Labor;
Consider watching for policy or regulatory proposals from the Women's Health Task Force or its member agencies, including the Department of Labor, that could affect workplace or benefit policies.
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Our suggestionSec. 3(c)
The Co-Chairs may hold public hearings, meetings, roundtables, and similar events, as appropriate
Benefits teams with an interest in women's health coverage may want to follow any public hearings or roundtables the Task Force holds, since it may take input from the private sector.
Open questions
The source leaves these open. We'll update this record if a later document answers them.
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Will the Women's Health Task Force or the Department of Labor propose any rules or guidance that affect employers or employer health plans?
History
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Advancing Women's Health To Improve Outcomes in All Phases of Life Source (opens in a new tab)