HR 292 — A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on menopause continuing medical education requirements and the preparedness of health care providers to provide care for women's health issues, including perimenopause and menopause.

PRINTER'S NO.   2204

                   THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 292
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY SHUSTERMAN, WAXMAN, HILL-EVANS, GUENST, PIELLI,
        RIVERA, HANBIDGE, SANCHEZ, PROBST, HOHENSTEIN, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ
        AND BOYD, AUGUST 5, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, AUGUST 10, 2025


                                A RESOLUTION
 1   Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
 2      study on menopause continuing medical education requirements
 3      and the preparedness of health care providers to provide care
 4      for women's health issues, including perimenopause and
 5      menopause.
 6      WHEREAS, Menopause occurs when a woman has not menstruated
 7   for 12 consecutive months, and the period leading up to
 8   menopause is referred to as perimenopause; and
 9      WHEREAS, Perimenopause and menopause are often accompanied by
10   symptoms, including sleep disturbances, brain fog, weight gain,
11   joint and muscle pain, increased risk of depression and anxiety,
12   hot flashes and night sweats, changes in sexual function,
13   changing cholesterol levels, vaginal and bladder complications
14   and osteoporosis; and
15      WHEREAS, In the United States, approximately 1.3 million
16   women achieve menopause every year, at an average age of 51; and
17      WHEREAS,   While menopausal symptoms may be alleviated or
18   treated with hormone therapy, prescription medication, strength
19   training and dietary and lifestyle adjustments, many women may
 1   not be aware of the treatment options or understand the
 2   increased risk for osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases; and
 3         WHEREAS, In a study conducted by AARP, only approximately
 4   half of women surveyed who were currently experiencing
 5   perimenopause believe they are knowledgeable about menopause;
 6   and
 7         WHEREAS, The AARP study also notes that more than half of
 8   women surveyed felt that there should be greater attention on
 9   menopause education and women's health; and
10         WHEREAS, For many women who are soon to experience menopause,
11   they often first consult an older female relative, but also
12   expect to discuss menopause with their health care provider,
13   according to AARP; and
14         WHEREAS, Many women experiencing menopausal symptoms have had
15   their experiences dismissed by a health care provider as typical
16   stress, anxiety or other mood changes; and
17         WHEREAS, Concerns have been raised regarding the lack of
18   continuing medical education and training that medical students
19   and health care providers complete regarding menopause and
20   associated women's health issues; and
21         WHEREAS, Further, a survey of obstetrician-gynecologist
22   residents showed that they felt that they could benefit from
23   more information on menopause and related treatments for
24   menopausal symptoms; and
25         WHEREAS, The House of Representatives is committed to
26   ensuring that the health of women in this Commonwealth is
27   improved and that information on menopause is not only widely
28   available, but is promoted; and
29         WHEREAS, The House of Representatives is also committed to
30   ensuring that health care providers receive adequate training on

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 1   women's health related to perimenopause and menopause; therefore
 2   be it
 3      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
 4   State Government Commission to conduct a study and issue a
 5   report on menopause continuing medical education requirements
 6   for health care providers in this Commonwealth; and be it
 7   further
 8      RESOLVED, That the study:
 9             (1)   Report on continuing medical education requirements
10      for health care providers, including physicians, physician
11      assistants, midwives and nurses who provide care for women
12      experiencing perimenopause or menopause.
13             (2)   Make recommendations on actions that the Department
14      of Human Services, the Department of Health or other State
15      agencies could take to better meet the educational needs of
16      health care providers so that they may be able to better
17      provide care to women experiencing perimenopause or
18      menopause.
19             (3)   Provide legislative recommendations that the House
20      of Representatives may pursue to increase health care
21      provider awareness of and education on women's health as it
22      pertains to perimenopause and menopause;
23   and be it further
24      RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission report
25   its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives
26   no later than 18 months after the adoption of this resolution.




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