SEARCH Act of 2024

The SEARCH Act of 2024 directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to launch public awareness campaigns increasing women’s participation in NIH clinical trials, particularly for rare diseases disproportionately affecting women, with $10 million annually from 2025-2029. It also creates a permanent Interagency Task Force on Rare Diseases, including HHS agency heads, biopharma representatives, and patient advocates, to coordinate federal research efforts and assess funding for rare disease treatments. The bill requires HHS to submit an action plan within 180 days of enactment outlining how it will incentivize research on rare diseases that disproportionately impact women. These provisions directly affect women seeking clinical trial participation, NIH research programs, and HHS agencies responsible for rare disease initiatives.