Over the past few months, there has been a lot of conversation surrounding the potential impacts of how recent changes within the administration will affect medical and health research institutions like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)—to name a few.
On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) held its first Policy Advisory Council meeting of the year. The event brought together two distinguished experts, Andi Lipstein Fristedt, MPA, and Jesse Roach, MD, who shared their insights on recent federal developments, applying their experience from roles in the federal government and in public health policy.
The discussion set the stage for a discussion among Policy Advisory Council members about how to ensure that public health continues to be a top priority in Washington, D.C. and across the nation.
Expert Insights on Federal Public Health Leadership and Challenges
Fristedt and Dr. Roach were invited by SWHR to offer their perspectives on the latest federal activities related to public health. Until January 2025, Fristedt served as Deputy Director and Chief Strategy Officer at the CDC, where she led initiatives to shape national public health policies. She also held key roles at the FDA and U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), contributing to major public health legislation such as the 21st Century Cures Act and the SUPPORT for Patients Act. Dr. Roach is the Senior Vice President for Government Relations at the National Kidney Foundation, where he advocates for equitable kidney care. His past roles include Chief Medical Officer at CVS Kidney Care and work at the CMS Center for Clinical Standards and Quality, where he focused on quality measurement and value-based care across multiple administrations.
Moderated by SWHR’s Chief Advocacy Officer, Lindsey Miltenberger, the dynamic conversation covered a range of current topics impacting public health, including the major changes to federal agencies’ workforces, transitions in agency leadership, and the implications of looming budget cuts for public health programs. Taken together, there is growing concern among the scientific and public health communities about the long-term effects of these actions on scientific progress, medical research, and the nation’s overall health infrastructure.
A portion of the conversation also revolved around the nomination and confirmation process for key figures in health and medical agencies. At the time of the meeting, the hearings and nominations for top positions in federal health agencies were underway, including NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, CMS Director nominee Dr. Mehmet Oz, FDA Director nominee Dr. Marty Makary, and CDC Director nominee Dr. Dave Weldon—who has since been removed from consideration.
These transitions in leadership are critical as they set the direction for how federal agencies like the CDC, NIH, and FDA may respond to emerging public health challenges. The panel discussed how these shifts in leadership could impact the trajectory of medical research, particularly in areas that directly affect women’s health.
Impact of Funding and Workforce Cuts
One of the most pressing concerns raised during the discussion was the threat of federal funding and workforce cuts to medical research and public health initiatives. Attendees emphasized the ripple effects that these cuts could have on scientific discovery, innovation, and the future of public health. Medical research, especially in the fields of women’s health, relies heavily on federal investment to drive breakthroughs in treatments, disease prevention, and public health strategies.
The conversation also highlighted the alarming loss of expertise due to cuts in the federal workforce. As key positions in agencies like the CDC and NIH are eliminated, vital institutional knowledge may be lost, creating a knowledge void that could take years—or even decades—to fill. This loss of this expertise hampers the nation’s ability to effectively respond to public health crises and impedes long-term progress in the medical sciences, including women’s health.
The Future of Public Health Policy
The meeting underscored the need for continued advocacy to preserve and increase funding for medical research and public health programs. As the nation faces increasing public health challenges—from the challenges of managing and preventing chronic conditions to the spread of infectious disease —the importance of a strong, well-funded medical research enterprise has never been more evident.
SWHR remains committed to engaging policymakers and ensuring that the health needs of women and underrepresented populations are prioritized through bipartisan federal legislation and the appropriations process.