Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2717
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-08: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-21T08:08:06Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act" (H.R. 2717) aims to address gaps in research and care for menopause, perimenopause, and mid-life women's health among active-duty servicewomen and women veterans. It directs the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to evaluate existing research, identify needs, and develop plans to improve treatments, training, and support services.
Key Provisions
- Evaluation Requirements: The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, must assess:
- Results of completed and ongoing research on menopause (permanent end of menstruation and fertility, a normal aging process), perimenopause (transition period with fluctuating estrogen levels), and mid-life health (roughly ages 35–65, often linked to chronic conditions) for servicewomen and veterans.
- Gaps in knowledge, including:
- Hormone and non-hormone treatments for symptoms like hot flashes or mood changes.
- Safety and effectiveness of these treatments.
- How military service, including combat exposure to burn pits, toxic chemicals, or PFAS (man-made chemicals used in products like non-stick coatings), affects these conditions.
- Impacts on mental health.
- Availability and use of professional training for DoD and VA healthcare providers on managing these issues.
- Access to and use of treatments by affected women.
- Reporting and Planning: Within 180 days of enactment, each Secretary must submit a report to Congress including evaluation findings, recommendations for better provider training, and a strategic plan to address research gaps and prioritize future studies on treatments.
- Coordination and Non-Duplication: Efforts must supplement (not repeat) work by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on sharing related information.
- Sense of Congress: Encourages DoD and VA to conduct additional research on these topics for servicewomen and veterans.
- Definitions: Provides clear explanations of terms like menopause, perimenopause, mid-life, postmenopausal (period after 12 months without menstruation, increasing risks for conditions like osteoporosis and heart disease), and PFAS.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new mandates for DoD and VA to systematically evaluate and plan research on menopause-related issues specific to military service and veteran populations. It does not amend prior laws but adds requirements for coordinated reporting and strategic planning, building on existing federal health research without overriding it.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: DoD and VA will need to allocate resources for evaluations, reports, and potential new research, fostering better integration with HHS. This could lead to expanded training programs for healthcare providers and improved data-sharing.
- Citizens: Women service members and veterans may gain better access to evidence-based treatments and support, potentially reducing health disparities and improving quality of life during mid-life transitions. It could also enhance mental health services tied to these conditions.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the focus is domestic military and veteran health.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Servicewomen and Women Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, as the bill targets research and care tailored to their unique experiences, such as service-related exposures.
- Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Responsible for implementation, including evaluations, training, and research planning.
- Healthcare Providers: DoD and VA employees who treat these patients, with potential requirements for enhanced professional development.
- Congress: Receives reports and can influence future funding or expansions based on findings.
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Indirectly involved through non-duplication clauses, ensuring complementary efforts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes enforceable timelines (e.g., 180-day reporting) and definitions to guide implementation, with no apparent conflicts to existing health privacy laws like HIPAA. It promotes inter-agency coordination without mandating new spending, leaving funding to appropriations.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority to oversee military and veteran affairs under Article I, Section 8, without raising separation-of-powers issues.
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Reps. Houlahan and Bice) signals broad support for women's health in the military, potentially advancing gender equity in veteran care. It could set a precedent for targeted research on understudied conditions, influencing future health policy debates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]
Cosponsors (14)
Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-08: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-08: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-08: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-08: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act — issued 2025-04-08 — PDF (6 pages)