HR2717-119

What This Bill Does

The Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act directs the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to evaluate completed and ongoing research on menopause, perimenopause, and mid-life women health among women in the Armed Forces and veterans. The evaluation must identify knowledge gaps on hormone and non-hormone treatments, safety and effectiveness, relationships between military service and menopause, impacts of combat roles, burn pits, toxic chemicals, PFAS, and mental health effects. It also reviews training resources for DOD and VA providers and uptake of treatments. Within 180 days, each Secretary must submit findings, recommendations to improve provider training, and a strategic plan to resolve research gaps and identify further treatment research topics. The activities must supplement and minimize duplication of HHS information-sharing efforts.

Who Benefits and How

Servicewomen benefit because the bill focuses research on how military service, combat roles, toxic exposures, and PFAS may affect menopause symptoms. Women veterans benefit because VA must evaluate treatment availability, uptake, provider training, and research gaps for mid-life women health. DOD and VA health care providers benefit from recommendations for improved training on perimenopause and menopausal symptoms. Military women health researchers benefit from a strategic plan identifying further research topics and evidence gaps.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The Department of Defense must evaluate research, provider training resources, treatment uptake, toxic exposure issues, and mental health impacts. The Department of Veterans Affairs must produce its own report, recommendations, and strategic plan within 180 days. Covered DOD providers may need new professional training resources for mid-life women health. Covered VA providers may need new training and clinical support for menopause-related care.

Key Provisions

• Requires DOD and VA evaluation of menopause, perimenopause, and mid-life women health research affecting servicewomen and veterans.
• Requires review of treatment evidence, toxic exposures, combat roles, PFAS, mental health, provider training, and treatment uptake.
• Requires each Secretary to report to Congress within 180 days with recommendations and a strategic research plan.
• Requires coordination that supplements and avoids duplication of HHS information-sharing efforts.