How Citizen Advocacy Promotes Real Change in Menopause Policy – ​​Status By State

In early February, we wrote for KCM (here and here), and despite all the quarrels in DC, menopause is one of the few policy issues that go beyond political boundaries. To help put forward this agenda, we collaborate on publishing Guide to Advocacy for Citizensa free digital brochure to mobilize daily life.

Good news? It's working!

Yes, about the future of federally funded research and
National policies, especially around women's health. But, Citizen Guidethe state government provides an important alternative route. The momentum is growing – fast.

For a quick perspective, three states have passed menopause laws over the past two years. As of 2024
Various medical boards in California, including doctors, nurses and doctors’ assistants –
Now, courses in the ongoing professional education requirements can be included in menopause. Illinois (2023) and Louisiana (2024) authorize insurance for certain people
or all menopause treatments. (A bill requiring menopause treatment insurance also requires
It was passed in California last year just to reject the governor of Newsom.

Menopause laws proposed by a quarter of states show that citizens advocate works –
The MP is listening. Menopause has changed from “for a moment” in 2023 to “Come on
The Movement” was named in 2024 in “Watch: The Legislative Landscape of 2025”
Listed in 2025. This is the progress.

Here is a state-by-state summary of menopause legislation proposed so far this year. Check
Provide nonprofits to let us menopause (JEN Board of Directors Service) for more information
and interactive features that easily track progress and speak out.

Arizona:

• HB 2734 will enable healthcare providers to use tools to educate women about symptoms of perimenopause and menopause and create informational materials.

California:

• AB 432, The Menopause Care Equity Act will require comprehensive insurance coverage for menopause treatment; guide state medical boards to develop continuous medical education (CME) courses specific to menopause; and doctors are required to complete menopause-specific CME if more than 25% of the patient population is composed of women.

• AB 360 will require the state medical board to develop and manage menopausal training surveys as part of the licensing renewal process.

Connecticut:

• AB 6593 will require the State Council’s Ministry of Public Health to formulate and distribute menopausal guidelines and educational resources to health care providers and conduct public awareness campaigns to educate residents; this will also require health care providers to complete at least the CME credit for menopause.

Illinois:

• SJR0025 will create a Menopause Awareness Week from October 12 to 18, 2025 to “promote legislative action on workforce protection, health care equality and research funding.”

• If Citizen GuideHB5295 will expand the previous bill to provide treatment coverage for patients with post-treatment resection to include all menopause treatments on January 1, 2026.

Maine:

• LD 1079 will direct the state Department of Health and Human Services to create informational materials on perimenopause and menopause.

Massachusetts:

• H 2499 will require the State Council’s Ministry of Public Health to raise awareness among patients and clinicians about the menopause transition and to evaluate and improve menopause CME; it will also assess the impact of menopause on the labor force and policies provided by employers (including health insurance for menopause treatment).

Nevada:

• SB 297 will September bring September's awareness month and October as menopause awareness month.

New Jersey:

• AB 5278 will require comprehensive coverage of perimenopause and menopause care and treatment.

• AB 5309/S4147 will allow physicians to renew their licenses using one to three credits CMEs during menopause.

• SB 4197/AB 3334 will require employers to allow employees with a range of menstrual disorders (including due to perimenopause results) unless it will put an inappropriate burden on the employer.

New York:

• AB 5444 will require comprehensive coverage of perimenopause and menopause care and treatment.

• AB 5436 will help prevent discrimination and raise awareness about menopause and perimenopause.

• A01940/SB3908 will amend the Workers Compensation Act to provide four days of paid menstrual complications, including perimenopause and menopause.

• S1720 will establish an advocacy campaign on menopausal hormone therapy.

Oregon:

Pennsylvania:

• A Senate memorandum has been submitted to introduce the 2025 legislation that would require State Department health and health care providers to provide information about menopause and perimenopause; the bill itself has not survived.

Rhode Island:

• S 0361 will extend the protection of the workplace to those who experience menopause.

Texas:

• HB 3961 will require the state Department of Health Services to develop and distribute menopausal education programs and publish informational materials on department websites.

For all of us who are committed to women’s health, this legislative visibility should drive our hope that we will fight for bipartisan and meaningful progress.

We support what we write for kcm, only two (although Long) months ago:

If we are committed to fighting for it, there is a track of progress. That's why we should: Menopause women, such as our young peers, must be able to make informed choices about our health. We should get affordable, competent medical and treatment from trained professionals. We have all rights and reasons to require legislators and leaders to invest in solutions that ensure our well-being, our dignity and humanity. We owe ourselves and to the coming – don't stay away from this cause, but double in pursuit.

Jennifer Wes Wolf yes Birnbaum Women's Leadership Center in New York University Law. Dr. Mary Claire Haver is a board-certified OB/GYN and certified menopause practitioner. They are co-authors Guide to Advocacy for Citizens.

How Citizen Advocacy Promotes Real Change in Menopause Policy – ​​By State by State appears on Katie Couric Media.