A New Era for Women's Health: The Fight to Prioritize Menopause Care
- SHE+ Foundation
- May 26
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 2
Menopause is becoming a major topic in healthcare policy across the United States.
As more people speak out about the challenges of menopause, lawmakers at both the state and federal levels are introducing legislation to make vital changes to women’s sexual health policy.
Over 20 pieces of legislation, in 12 states, have been introduced to improve the affordability of menopause care, boost workplace support for people experiencing menopause symptoms, and to increase medical training for providers.
Bills by State:
California
The Menopause Care Equity Act, would require health insurance coverage for menopause treatment, direct the state’s Medical Board to develop menopause-specific Continuing Medical Education, and require physicians to complete it if more than 25% of their patients are women.
Louisiana
Louisiana will require Medicaid and private health insurance plans to cover menopause and perimenopause treatment.
Oregon
HB3064 would mandate treatment coverage by health insurance plans under the reach of the State of Oregon.
Rhode Island
S 0361 would extend workplace protections to people experiencing menopause.
Texas
HB 3961 would require the Texas State Department of Health Services to develop and distribute menopause educational programming, and post informational materials on their website.
Maine
LD 1079 would direct the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to create informational materials on perimenopause and menopause.
Massachusetts
H 2499 would mandate the state of Massachusetts improve awareness of the transition into menopause, improve continuing education on menopause for providers, and assess the impact of menopause on the workforce and employer health insurance policies.
Nevada
SB 297 would designate the month of September as Perimenopause Awareness Month, and October as Menopause Awareness Month.
New Jersey
AB 5278 would mandate insurance coverage for menopause treatment.
S 4147 would require menopause as a topic in continuing education for providers.
SB 4197 & AB 3334 would require employers to allow employees suffering from menstrual disorders, including perimenopause, to work remotely unless it would create an undue burden.
Illinois
SJR 0025 would create Menopause Awareness Week in October.
HB 5285 would expand prior coverage for post-hysterectomy care to include all menopause treatments.
Arizona
HB 2734 would equip providers with the tools to educate women on the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, and create educational materials.
Connecticut
AB 6593 would require the state of Connecticut to develop and distribute menopause guidelines and resources to providers, launch a public awareness campaign, and mandate one continuing education credit on menopause for providers.
Bills in Congress
At the federal level, the Advancing Menopause Care & Mid-Life Women’s Health Act was introduced in Congress in 2024. It proposed an allocation of $275 million over 5 years, with a goal of expanding research on menopause and midlife women’s health, enhancing healthcare providers training, the development of public health education programs, and more.
Additionally, the Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act was introduced in the House of Representatives, aiming to enhance menopause care for veterans, by directing the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve services and support for midlife women’s health.
Debunking the Hormone Therapy Myths
The delay in treatment for menopause and perimenopause can be traced back to the confusion around a 2002 study by the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), which suggested that hormone therapy increased the risk of heart disease and breast cancer.
But newer findings have changed that narrative. According to Dr. JoAnn Manson, chief of preventive medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and author of a recent JAMA study, hormone therapy is safe for many women under 60:
“We found hormone therapy has low risk of adverse events and is safe for treating bothersome hot flashes, night sweats, and other menopausal symptoms.”
Dr. Lauren Streicher, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern, echoed this in an NPR interview:
"Women should know that hormone therapy is safe and beneficial... It's clear the Women's Health Initiative study was flawed, and that some of the risks that were identified were linked to the type of hormones that women were given."
It begins in school.
A critical gap remains in medical education on menopause and perimenopause. A survey published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that only 7% of OB-GYN residents felt adequately prepared to manage menopause. Shockingly, more than 20% reported receiving no menopause-related lectures during their residency.
This lack of preparation is dangerous —especially considering that the average age of menopause in the U.S. is 51, and nearly every woman will go through it.
Why This Movement Matters
The surge in legislation and policy interest is about more than hot flashes and hormone therapy. It’s about recognizing menopause care as a key part of women’s health and ensuring the medical system is equipped to support people through every stage of life.
As momentum builds, continued advocacy will be essential. Increasing legislative attention to menopause care is a good thing - and it reflects a broader commitment to women’s health.
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