Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 2275
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-15: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T21:53:37Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2025 aims to increase federal research, data collection, public education, and awareness about uterine fibroids—a common non-cancerous growth in the uterus that affects many women, causing symptoms like pain, heavy bleeding, and fertility issues. It seeks to address gaps in knowledge, diagnosis delays, treatment options, and disparities, particularly for racial and ethnic minorities, while reducing reliance on invasive procedures like hysterectomies.
Key Provisions
- Research Expansion (Section 3): The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) must intensify and coordinate research on uterine fibroids through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other agencies. This includes studying causes, prevalence, treatments, and impacts. Funding: $30 million authorized annually from fiscal years 2026 to 2030.
- Medicaid Coverage Research (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. A report on federal and state spending must be submitted to Congress within two years of enactment, coordinated with relevant agencies.
- Public Education Program (Section 5): HHS must develop and share information on uterine fibroid awareness, prevalence (especially among minorities), risks, and treatment options, including non-surgical alternatives. Dissemination can occur directly or through partnerships with nonprofits, universities, and public-private groups. Funding: As needed for fiscal years 2026 to 2030.
- Healthcare Provider Information (Section 6): HHS, in consultation with medical societies, must promote evidence-based care for fibroid patients, focusing on minorities and options like non-hysterectomy drugs and devices approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Funding: As needed for fiscal years 2026 to 2030.
- Findings (Section 2): Outlines key facts, such as 20-50% of reproductive-age women affected, higher rates and severity in Black women, annual costs up to $34.4 billion, and underfunding of research (e.g., only $17 million from NIH in 2019).
- Definitions (Section 7): "Minority individuals" refers to members of racial and ethnic minority groups, as defined in federal public health law.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new federal mandates not previously specified in law, including dedicated research funding, a specific Medicaid data database for fibroids, and targeted public and provider education campaigns. It builds on existing NIH and HHS authorities but shifts focus to uterine fibroids, which Congress notes are drastically underfunded relative to their burden. No direct amendments to prior laws like the Social Security Act (governing Medicaid) are made, but it requires new data collection under those programs.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: HHS and NIH will face increased responsibilities for coordination, research, and reporting, with new authorized funding potentially straining budgets if not appropriated. Medicaid administrators may need to enhance data tracking, affecting state-federal partnerships.
- Citizens: Women, especially Black, Hispanic, and Asian individuals (who face higher risks), could benefit from faster diagnoses, better treatments, and reduced hysterectomies (currently the leading cause, at 39% of cases). Improved awareness may shorten the average 3.6-year wait for treatment and address undiagnosed cases, enhancing quality of life, fertility, and work productivity. Broader society may see lower healthcare costs over time through better prevention and less invasive options.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. health programs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Women with Uterine Fibroids: Primary beneficiaries, particularly the estimated 26 million U.S. women aged 15-50 affected, with 15 million experiencing symptoms; minorities (e.g., over 80% of Black women by menopause) face disproportionate effects.
- Healthcare Providers and Systems: Gynecologists, specialists, and hospitals must adopt evidence-based practices, potentially increasing access to non-surgical treatments.
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities: Explicit focus on elevated risks and disparities in diagnosis, symptoms, and outcomes for Black, Hispanic, and Asian groups.
- Low-Income Individuals: Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, who may gain better-covered treatments and data-driven policy improvements.
- Researchers and Nonprofits: Universities, medical societies, and advocacy groups involved in partnerships for education and studies.
- Federal Agencies: HHS, NIH, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, tasked with implementation and funding.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Authorizes appropriations without mandating them, so actual funding depends on congressional budgets. It promotes equity in healthcare under existing public health laws but does not create new enforceable rights for patients. Coordination with FDA-approved treatments ensures alignment with drug/device regulations.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it falls under Congress's spending power for public health and welfare, supporting equal protection by addressing racial disparities without race-based quotas.
- Political: Highlights health inequities in women's and minority health, potentially advancing bipartisan women's health initiatives. By naming the act after Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (a former advocate), it carries symbolic weight for racial justice in medicine. Underfunding critique may pressure future NIH priorities, but the bill's scope is narrow, avoiding broader healthcare reforms.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD], Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-15: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2025-07-15: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-15 — PDF (9 pages)