HR 2717
Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act
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Bill overview
This bill directs the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to study menopause and related health issues affecting servicewomen and veterans. Specifically, it requires an evaluation of existing research, identifies gaps in knowledge, and proposes a strategic plan to improve training for healthcare providers and further research into treatments and potential impacts of military service. The bill also aims to minimize duplication of efforts with the Department of Health and Human Services.
Key provisions
- Requires evaluation of completed and ongoing research on menopause and related health issues for servicewomen and veterans.
- Identifies gaps in knowledge regarding treatments, safety, military service impacts, and mental health.
- Mandates the creation of a strategic plan to address identified research gaps.
- Calls for improvements in professional training resources for healthcare providers.
- Defines key terms related to menopause and perimenopause, including ‘menopause,’ ‘perimenopause,’ ‘mid-life,’ and ‘PFAS.’
- Directs the Departments to supplement, not duplicate, existing research efforts.
- Establishes a reporting requirement to Congress with findings and recommendations.
- Recognizes the importance of ongoing research in this area.
Who is affected
- Servicewomen
- Veterans
- Department of Defense
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Healthcare Providers
Notable changes
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Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 2717
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to take certain steps regarding research related to menopause, perimenopause, or mid-life women’s health, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act
.
the results of completed research related to menopause, perimenopause, or mid-life women’s health among women who are members of the Armed Forces or veterans;
the status of such research that is ongoing;
any gaps in knowledge and research on—
the safety and effectiveness of treatments for menopause-related symptoms;
the relation of service in the Armed Forces to perimenopause and menopause and the impact of such service on perimenopause and menopause;
the impact of perimenopause and menopause on the mental health of women who are members of the Armed Forces or veterans;
the availability of and uptake of professional training resources for covered providers relating to mid-life women’s health with respect to the care, treatment, and management of perimenopause and menopausal symptoms, and related support services; and
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall each submit to Congress a report containing—
the findings of the evaluation conducted under subsection (a);
recommendations for improving professional training resources described in subsection (a)(4) for covered providers; and
a strategic plan that—
resolves the gaps in knowledge and research identified in the report; and
In this section:
The term covered provider means a health care provider who is an employee of the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The term menopause
—
means the stage of a woman’s life when menstruation stops permanently and she can no longer get pregnant; and
is not a disease state, but a normal part of aging for women.
The term mid-life
means a life stage for a woman that—
coincides with perimenopause, which may be physical or emotional;
encompasses the late reproductive age, which can begin at approximately 35 years of age, to late postmenopausal stages, which can extend to approximately 65 years of age, of reproductive aging; and
often marks the onset of many chronic diseases.
The term perimenopause
—
mean the time when levels of the hormone estrogen fall unevenly in a woman’s body; and
is also called the menopausal transition.
PFASmeans perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
The term postmenopausal
means a period—
that begins after a woman has not menstruated for 12 months and lasts thereafter for the rest of the woman’s life; and
during which a woman is at increased risk for osteoporosis and heart disease.
It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should each conduct research related to menopause, perimenopause, or mid-life health regarding women who are members of the Armed Forces or veterans.