Senate Committee Held First Menopause Hearing
Lawmakers convened to address research gaps and the economic impact of menopause on the American workforce.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Women’s Health
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Should the federal government increase funding for menopause research and treatment?
The Senate Committee on Aging held its first congressional hearing on menopause to examine the critical gaps in medical training, research funding, and patient care. Senators are now seeking a Government Accountability Office report to investigate the federal government’s role in overseeing menopause programs.
Why it matters
The hearing addressed the lack of systemic support for women as they navigate health changes associated with menopause, which have been linked to long-term risks like heart disease and bone loss. By investigating these gaps, lawmakers aim to better understand the federal government’s role in improving treatment access and clinical oversight.
Menopause symptoms result in an estimated $5.4 billion in annual economic losses. Currently, 30% of the American workforce consists of women between the ages of 45 and 60, with 10% of women reporting they have left the workforce due to symptoms.
The players
Kirsten Gillibrand
She is a United States Senator who led the push for a formal investigation into federal menopause research.
Rick Scott
He is a United States Senator who joined the bipartisan effort to request a GAO report on menopause care.
Angela Alsobrooks
She is a United States Senator who co-signed the request for federal oversight regarding the menopause care gap.
The details
The hearing, titled Half the Country, Zero Hearings: Meeting the Moment to End the Menopause Care Gap in America, featured testimony from medical experts and gynecologists. While states such as Illinois, Louisiana, Utah, and California have passed local laws regarding treatment coverage, lawmakers are looking to standardize federal efforts.
Timeline
The Senate Committee on Aging held the hearing on September 16, 2026.
Midterm elections are scheduled for November 2026.
The Big Picture
This hearing follows the precedent of utilizing the Government Accountability Office federal research oversight framework to identify gaps in medical programming. It signals a move toward treating menopause as a priority health issue rather than a peripheral clinical concern.
The push for federal research could eventually lead to improved access to hormone treatments and better insurance coverage standards for menopausal care. For now, patients should monitor whether their specific state legislatures move to match the laws recently enacted in states like California or Utah.
The takeaway
The increased focus on menopause in the Senate underscores a significant shift in recognizing its impact on the economic stability of the female workforce. Women navigating these symptoms are encouraged to stay informed about changing clinical guidelines as medical experts and policymakers push for standardized care.
Further reading
For more on the national dialogue regarding clinical standards, visit the Women’s Health section.
Live Poll
Should the federal government increase funding for menopause research and treatment?
