Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act of 2025

Bill Number: H.R. 219
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Armed Forces and National Security
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-02-11: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Last Updated: 2026-05-05T08:06:09Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act of 2025 aims to assess and enhance the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) provision of medical care for women veterans dealing with menopause-related conditions, including perimenopause (the transition phase before menopause), genitourinary syndrome of menopause (symptoms affecting the urinary and genital areas), and menopause itself. It focuses on improving awareness, access, quality, and protocols for such care under existing VA health services laws.

Key Provisions

Study by the Comptroller General: The U.S. Comptroller General (an independent auditor for the government) must conduct a comprehensive study on VA medical services related to menopause care, as provided under sections 1703 (VA outpatient and inpatient care) and 1710 (comprehensive health services for veterans) of title 38 of the U.S. Code.
Public Report: Within 18 months of the bill's enactment, the Comptroller General must release a public report covering:
A description of current VA menopause care services.
A review of VA guidelines and protocols for training providers, diagnosing and treating menopause conditions, and referring veterans to outside providers.
An evaluation of veterans' access to interdisciplinary care (team-based treatment involving multiple specialists) for menopause effects.
A review of VA educational efforts and outreach to inform veterans about available care, treatment options, benefits, and risks.
An assessment of care quality, including veteran feedback, treatment effectiveness, and mechanisms for resolving concerns.
An examination of how the VA uses internal or external research to advance menopause care, such as new treatments or protocols.
Recommendations to improve VA menopause care.
Implementation Plan: Within 6 months of the report's release, the VA Secretary must submit a strategic plan to congressional Committees on Veterans' Affairs, outlining steps to implement the report's recommendations, enhance care quality, and expand access.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill does not directly amend current laws but introduces new mandates for oversight and planning. It builds on existing VA authority under title 38 by requiring an independent study and a formal response from the VA, which could indirectly lead to policy updates or resource allocations without altering statutory language.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: The VA will face increased scrutiny and administrative requirements, including developing a strategic plan, which may involve reallocating resources for training, outreach, and research integration. The Comptroller General's office will conduct the study, potentially straining its workload.
Citizens: Women veterans (estimated at millions eligible for VA care) could benefit from improved awareness, access, and quality of menopause treatment, addressing a previously underemphasized area of women's health in the veteran population.
International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic VA operations.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Women Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, particularly those experiencing menopause-related health issues, who may gain better care options and support.
VA Medical Providers and Staff: Affected by required reviews of training protocols, referrals, and interdisciplinary care.
VA Secretary and Department Leadership: Responsible for the implementation plan and potential operational changes.
Congressional Committees on Veterans' Affairs: Receive the report and plan, influencing future VA funding and policies.
Comptroller General and Government Accountability Office: Tasked with leading the study and report.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Reinforces VA's obligation to provide comprehensive health services under title 38 without creating new entitlements; the study could inform future regulations or appropriations but has no immediate enforcement mechanisms.
Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power and oversight of federal agencies; no apparent conflicts with equal protection or due process, as it promotes equitable health care for a specific veteran subgroup.
Political: Highlights growing attention to women's health in veterans' affairs, potentially influencing bipartisan support for VA reforms and addressing gaps in gender-specific care; it may set a precedent for similar studies on other underserved health areas without partisan controversy evident in the bill text.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]

Cosponsors (36)

Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2], Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Conaway, Herbert C. [D-NJ-3], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

Recent Actions

2025-02-11: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
2025-01-07: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
2025-01-07: Introduced in House
2025-01-07: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-07 — PDF (5 pages)