A growing national movement is reshaping how menopause is addressed in the United States, as lawmakers across more than a dozen states introduce legislation to improve access to care, educate clinicians, and protect women experiencing symptoms in the workplace.
From California to New York, at least 24 bills in 15 states have been introduced this year alone, according to Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, executive director of the Birnbaum Women’s Leadership Center at NYU School of Law. These efforts span insurance mandates, physician training, public awareness, and employment protections — and signal a cultural shift long overdue.
Legislators Respond to Gaps in Menopause Care
One of the most prominent measures comes from California Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, who introduced Assembly Bill 432 to mandate insurance coverage for menopause diagnosis and treatment. Her advocacy stems from personal experience: she was repeatedly dismissed by physicians when she reported perimenopausal symptoms in her mid-40s.
“I knew something was wrong with my body, but my internist and ob/gyn both told me I was fine,” Bauer-Kahan said. “Women make up more than half the population, yet our health care system doesn’t provide the care we need as we age. This bill is about closing that gap.”
Similar legislation has surfaced in Oregon, New Jersey, Illinois, Louisiana, and other states, with several bills focused on ensuring that evidence-based treatments like hormone therapy are covered by insurance.
From Silence to Statehouse
The resurgence in menopause policy follows decades of neglect. In 2002, the Women’s Health Initiative prematurely ended a study on hormone therapy due to concerns about cancer risk — findings that were later found to be overgeneralized. The study led to a steep decline in both usage and physician training around menopause treatments.
“We lost a generation of doctors who were never taught how to treat menopausal women,” said Dr. Sharon Malone, chief medical adviser at Alloy Women’s Health. “And for 23 years, we lost momentum in research and education.”
But the tide is turning. Menopause is now trending in books, podcasts, and social media hashtags — and increasingly, in policy.
Dr. Mary Claire Haver, author of The New Menopause, noted that the absence of standardized treatment guidelines and poor insurance coverage continues to hurt patients. “This new legislation gives us hope that change is coming,” she said.
Bills Span Awareness, Education, and the Workplace
The 2025 legislative session saw bills introduced across several key categories:
- Awareness Campaigns: Illinois passed a bill designating a Menopause Awareness Week. A similar proposal in Nevada was vetoed.
- Provider Education: Seven bills aimed at training healthcare providers were filed. California’s would require a review of physician menopause training. New Jersey’s proposal allows providers to apply menopause-related continuing education toward license renewals. Maine’s version was signed into law.
- Insurance Coverage: Five states introduced bills mandating insurance coverage for menopause treatment; New Jersey’s passed its Assembly, while Oregon’s awaits the governor’s signature.
- Workplace Protections: Rhode Island became the first state to enact workplace protections for menopausal women. Similar efforts are underway in New York and New Jersey, seeking to address discrimination and offer accommodations such as remote work or medical leave.
Weiss-Wolf, author of Periods Gone Public, sees this year’s activity as a foundational moment. “Even if most bills don’t become law this year, this sets the stage for a more impactful 2026. Just getting state lawmakers to engage on this issue is a win.”
Bipartisan Support Grows
Crucially, menopause legislation is seeing broad bipartisan support. Bauer-Kahan noted that her bill passed California’s Assembly 70–1. “This isn’t political. It’s about giving half the population the healthcare they deserve.”
Massachusetts, New York, and other states are also weighing broader bills combining elements of insurance reform, education, and workplace rights.
FDA to Weigh In
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is scheduled to hold a public meeting next week to discuss hormone replacement therapy, menopause research, and future regulatory considerations. FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and Deputy Commissioner Dr. Sara Brenner are expected to participate.
Overcoming Years of Misinformation
Experts agree the road to reform has been hampered by two decades of misunderstanding and misinformation. “The Women’s Health Initiative scared an entire generation,” said Dr. Monica Christmas, director of the menopause program at UChicago Medicine. “But newer research shows that for most women under 60, or within 10 years of menopause, hormone therapy’s benefits outweigh the risks.”
She emphasized that systemic change requires more than doctor training. “If treatment isn’t covered by insurance, access stops there. We need national policy that ensures equitable access, better research, and supportive workplaces.”
The Path Ahead
Of the 24 menopause-related bills introduced in 2025:
- 11 remain in committee,
- 7 have passed at least one chamber,
- 4 are set to be enacted,
- 5 died or were vetoed,
- 1 was amended.
Still, advocates and experts say the surge of momentum is undeniable.
“We’re witnessing the beginning of a seismic shift in how menopause is treated in our healthcare system and society,” Bauer-Kahan said. “It’s time we bring menopause out of the shadows and into policy.”
