U.S. Senate holds first congressional hearing on menopause care

The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging held its first-ever congressional hearing dedicated to menopause, addressing what lawmakers described as a significant care gap in women's health. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Republican Chairman Rick Scott led the session, which highlighted that millions of Americans experience menopausal symptoms annually, yet the issue remains under-researched and under-discussed.

Experts and advocates testified to the urgent need for increased federal investment. Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, executive director of the Birnbaum Women’s Leadership Center at NYU Law, noted that less than 1% of federal research funding is currently allocated to menopause and mid-life women’s health. Testimony also emphasized the need for modern clinical trials that include diverse racial, ethnic, and geographical representation, specifically including Millennial and Gen X women.

In response to the testimony, Gillibrand and Scott issued a bipartisan request for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to prepare a report investigating the existing gaps in menopause research and treatment.