Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4395
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-15: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-07T08:05:50Z
AI-Generated Summary
Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2025 (H.R. 4395)
Purpose
This bill aims to increase research, education, and awareness about uterine fibroids—a common non-cancerous growth in the uterus that affects many women. It seeks to address gaps in knowledge, treatment options, and health disparities, particularly for racial and ethnic minorities, while reducing the personal, societal, and economic burdens of the condition.
Key Provisions
The bill includes detailed findings on the prevalence, symptoms, disparities, and costs of uterine fibroids, followed by directives for federal action:
- Research Expansion (Section 3): The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) must expand and coordinate research on uterine fibroids through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other relevant agencies. This includes studying causes, symptoms, treatments, and disparities. Authorizes $30 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
- Medicaid and CHIP Data Collection (Section 4): HHS must create or expand a database to track treatments for uterine fibroids provided under Medicaid (a joint federal-state program for low-income individuals) and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP, for children in low-income families). Within two years of enactment, HHS must report to Congress on federal and state spending for these treatments, coordinating with other agencies as needed.
- Public Education Program (Section 5): HHS must develop and share public information on uterine fibroids, covering awareness, prevalence (especially among minorities), higher risks for minorities, and treatment options like non-surgical procedures. Information can be distributed directly or through partnerships with nonprofits, universities, and public-private groups. Authorizes necessary funding for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
- Provider Education (Section 6): HHS must work with medical societies and health systems to promote evidence-based care for fibroid patients, emphasizing risks for minorities and non-surgical treatments (e.g., approved drugs or devices). Authorizes necessary funding for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
- Definitions (Section 7): Defines "minority individuals" as members of racial or ethnic minority groups, per existing public health law.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new mandates and funding authorizations rather than amending specific existing laws. It expands HHS and NIH roles in fibroid research and education, which are currently underfunded relative to the condition's impact. It also adds a new data collection requirement for Medicaid and CHIP, filling gaps in tracking treatment access and costs. No direct repeals or alterations to prior statutes are specified.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: HHS and NIH will face increased responsibilities for research coordination, database management, and information dissemination, supported by new funding. This could strain resources if appropriations are not fully provided but may improve data-driven policymaking on women's health.
- Citizens: Women of reproductive age, especially those with symptoms like pain, heavy bleeding, or infertility, may benefit from better awareness, earlier diagnosis, and more treatment options, potentially reducing hysterectomies (surgical removal of the uterus) and related complications. Minorities could see reduced health disparities through targeted education and research. Overall, it may lower personal suffering and economic costs (estimated at $5.9–34.4 billion annually in the U.S.).
- International Relations: No direct impacts; the bill focuses on domestic U.S. health programs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Women with Uterine Fibroids: Primarily those of reproductive age (15–50), with disproportionate effects on Black, Hispanic, and Asian women due to higher prevalence and severity.
- Healthcare Providers: Doctors, specialists, and health systems involved in diagnosis and treatment, who will receive guidance on evidence-based, inclusive care.
- Low-Income and Minority Communities: Beneficiaries of Medicaid and CHIP, who may gain better access to tracked services.
- Researchers and Advocacy Groups: NIH-funded scientists and nonprofits focused on women's health, benefiting from expanded funding and partnerships.
- Federal Agencies: HHS, NIH, and related offices, tasked with implementation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on Congress's authority to appropriate funds for public health under the Constitution's spending power. Authorizations are non-binding (actual funding requires separate appropriations bills), but the Medicaid/CHIP database could inform future coverage expansions under those programs.
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges; it promotes equal protection by addressing racial/ethnic health disparities without mandating private actions.
- Political: Highlights underfunding in women's health research (e.g., only $17 million in 2019 for fibroids), potentially advancing equity agendas. Introduced by a diverse group of House members (mostly Democrats), it underscores bipartisan potential in health policy but may face debates over spending priorities in a fiscally constrained environment.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]
Cosponsors (60)
Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5], Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Rivas, Luz M. [D-CA-29], Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43], Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26] and 10 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-15: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-07-15: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-15 — PDF (9 pages)