Trump signs executive order creating women's health division within NIH

Washington — President Trump on Monday signed an executive order establishing a women’s health division at the National Institutes of Health, along with a White House task force focused on women’s health.

First lady Melania Trump attended the Rose Garden signing ceremony and said the initiative would pursue five key goals:

“This is a transformative moment for women in America,” the first lady said. “Beginning today, we will change the reality of women’s health. 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.”

Trump said Melania Trump was the driving force behind the idea for a dedicated women’s health division at the NIH. She later signed the executive order after the president, though her signature carries no legal authority.

“Think of it, a women’s health division,” Trump said. “Who the hell wouldn’t have a women’s health division? Melania said, ‘They don’t have it.’”

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump

President Trump, with first lady Melania Trump, at an event about women’s health in the Rose Garden of the White House on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026.

AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

The president said Americans would soon hear about “incredible things that we’re doing” to improve women’s access to care, but he did not provide details. The administration has not said how much money will be allocated to research, faster therapeutic development or efforts to reduce the cost of medical breakthroughs for women.

The announcement follows White House chief of staff Susie Wiles’ battle with breast cancer. Wiles remained in her position after her March diagnosis and announced in September that she was cancer-free.

Trump recognized Wiles during Monday’s event, describing her as “fantastic.”

“I don’t know if Susie wants this brought up, but as many of you know, Susie recently won her battle against a very tough opponent, breast cancer,” the president said. “It wasn’t easy. We went through it, we got her through it, and she got through it, and she’s tough. But she’s a tremendous fighter and much like our first lady, she cares deeply about improving the health of American women.”

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles attends an event about women’s health in the Rose Garden of the White House on Oct. 19, 2026.

AP Photo/Alex Brandon

White House spokeswoman Allison Schuster said the new task force would “work to close critical research gaps and strengthen care for women across all stages of life, targeting some of the most widespread health conditions affecting them.”

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