States are out of the gate!

There’s an incredible amount of work being done across the country by dedicated state legislators who are working hard to advance and pass legislation in support of greater research and medical guidelines for menopause care. 13 states have introduced or advanced at least 21 BIPARTISAN bills that aim to improve menopause care, ensure affordable treatments, and bolster workplace supports. Below is a state-by-state summary of menopause legislation introduced thus far this year.

Passed

Introduced

No known bills

Below is a state-by-state summary of menopause legislation introduced thus far this year.

California

Menopause Care Equity Act (AB 432) would mandate menopause treatment coverage by public and private insurance; require physicians to complete menopause-specific CME “if more than 25% of their patient population consists of women”; and direct the Medical Board to develop menopause-specific CME curriculum. (A treatment bill was vetoed by Gov. Newsom in 2024)
AB 360 would require state medical boards to develop and administer menopause training surveys as part of the license renewal process

Illinois:

SJR0025 would create Menopause Awareness Week on October 12-18, 2025 “to drive legislative action on workforce protections, healthcare equity, and research funding”
Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton held a March 18 menopause discussion (with Halle Berry and Dr. Pauline Maki, among others)
As noted in Citizen’s Guide, HB5295 will expand prior bill mandating treatment coverage for post-hysterectomy patients to include all menopause treatments as of Jan 1, 2026

New Jersey:

AB 5278 would mandate menopause treatment coverage by public and private insurance
S4147 would require menopause as a CME topic
SB 4197/AB 3334 would require employers to allow employees suffering from a range of menstrual disorders to work remotely, unless it would create an undue burden for employers

New York:

AB 5444 would mandate menopause treatment coverage by public and private insurance
AB 5436 would help prevent discrimination and increase awareness about menopause and perimenopause
A01940/SB3908 would amend the workers’ compensation law to provide four days of paid leave for menstrual complications and menopause
S1720 would establish an awareness campaign on menopause hormone treatment

Oregon:

HB 3064 would mandate treatment coverage by health plans within the state’s reach, such as those insuring many public school employees and state employees

That one-in-four states have proposed menopause laws shows that citizen advocacy works — and lawmakers are listening. That’s progress!

For all of us committed to women’s health, this wave of legislative visibility should fuel our hope that it’s worth our effort to fight for bipartisan and meaningful progress.

Mid-life, menopausal women must be able to make informed choices about our health, deserve access to affordable, competent medical care and treatment from trained professionals and have every right to demand lawmakers and leaders invest in solutions that ensure our well-being, our dignity, our humanity.

So we must be committed to fighting for continued progress!

‍Here's how to get involved:

For those of you in these states, please send a letter to your local congressional representatives urging them to get these bills passed! Links coming soon.