Recognizing the United States legacy of dismissed pain and denied autonomy in women's health care, and affirming the Federal Government's duty to protect individual dignity and advance patient-centered care in women's health.

Bill Number: H.Res. 1147
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Health
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-03-30: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Last Updated: 2026-05-08T08:06:44Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 1147) recognizes the historical and ongoing mistreatment of women's pain and autonomy in U.S. health care, particularly in gynecology and reproductive care. It affirms the federal government's role in protecting patient dignity and promoting patient-centered women's health care.

Key Provisions

The resolution includes five main points adopted by the House:

Recognition of injustices: Acknowledges past and present denial of dignity, respect, and seriousness to women, especially marginalized groups like Black, Indigenous, immigrant, LGBTQ+, disabled, and low-income women.
Honoring victims: Pays tribute to women who suffered from systemic neglect, bias, and loss of bodily agency.
Promotion of better care: Supports shared decision-making (collaboration between patients and providers), patient education, transparency in procedures, and more research on women's health issues.
Commitment to improvements: Calls for wider access to reproductive and gynecological care, stronger protections for bodily autonomy, increased federal funding for research, and accountability for biases in health institutions.
Addressing biases: Stresses ending the acceptance of women's pain as normal and tackling hidden (implicit) and systemic biases in reproductive and gynecological care.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

None. As a congressional resolution, it is a non-binding statement of opinion and does not amend laws, create mandates, or enforce changes.

Potential Impacts

On citizens: Raises awareness of historical abuses (e.g., non-consensual sterilizations, coercive testing) and ongoing issues like dismissed pain, potentially encouraging public discourse and patient advocacy.
On government agencies: Signals expectations for agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services to prioritize women's health research and equity, though without legal force.
On international relations: Minimal, as it focuses on U.S. domestic history and policy.
Overall, symbolic influence on future legislation or funding priorities in women's health.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Women, especially marginalized groups: Black, Indigenous, immigrant, LGBTQ+, disabled, and low-income women highlighted as most impacted by past and present issues.
Health care providers and institutions: Gynecologists, reproductive health clinics accountable for biases and care quality.
Federal government and researchers: Congress, health agencies, and scientists urged to invest in research and access.
Advocacy groups: Those focused on reproductive rights, racial justice in health care, and patient autonomy.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Non-binding, so no enforceable rights or obligations; references historical abuses (e.g., forced sterilizations, contraceptive testing in Puerto Rico) without creating remedies.
Constitutional: Mentions past "constitutional right to abortion" rollbacks (post-2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade), framing them as worsening health access, but does not challenge laws.
Political: Bipartisan sponsors (119th Congress, introduced March 30, 2026); expresses progressive views on reproductive justice and equity, potentially divisive amid debates on abortion and health disparities. Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce for review.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]

Cosponsors (26)

Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Conaway, Herbert C. [D-NJ-3], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]

Recent Actions

2026-03-30: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
2026-03-30: Submitted in House
2026-03-30: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

Recognizing the United States legacy of dismissed pain and denied autonomy in women’s health care, and affirming the Federal Government’s duty to protect individual dignity and advance patient-centered care in women’s health. — issued 2026-03-30 — PDF (3 pages)