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LANSING, Mich., Aug. 21, 2025 — This week, lawmakers introduced four bipartisan bills to ensure Michiganders can access medically necessary treatment for menopause and perimenopause. For too long, inconsistent training and limited resources have left patients without the support they need, even as providers work to deliver care. All four bills received bipartisan support, reflecting a shared commitment to improving health care in Michigan. House Bill 4814, sponsored by state Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), would require private health insurers in Michigan to cover treatments for menopause and perimenopause, including hormone replacement therapy and other FDA-approved options, while prohibiting burdensome prior authorization or “fail first” requirements. “Menopause is experienced by more than half of our population, and nearly 75 million across the country are in perimenopause, menopause or post-menopause — with thousands more entering menopause every day,” Rogers said. “This is a practical, bipartisan step to cut red tape and put health care decisions where they belong: between a patient and their provider. Individuals are suffering needlessly, and when symptoms like hot flashes interrupt sleep, it can have a significantly negative impact on a person’s quality of life.” House Bill 4815, sponsored by state Rep. Morgan Foreman (D-Ann Arbor), would extend the same protections to Medicaid recipients, ensuring that lower-income patients have equal access to appropriate care. “Menopause is a reality every woman will face in her lifetime, yet our health care system still treats it like an afterthought,” Foreman said. “The lack of required insurance coverage for menopause-related care leaves women—especially those with lower incomes—without access to essential services. This legislation is about fairness. It ensures that no woman is forced to suffer in silence simply because she cannot afford the care she deserves.” Additionally, House Bill 4790, sponsored by state Rep. Jamie Thomspon (R-Brownstown), would add a continuing medical education (CME) course on women’s midlife health to the menu of options available to physicians. The course would cover communication, preparedness and management of menopause symptoms and related chronic conditions, giving physicians the opportunity to expand their training in this area. Finally, House Bill 4791, sponsored by state Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), would direct the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to post information on its website about menopause symptoms, including available resources and education. The goal is to raise public awareness, reduce stigma and make accurate, accessible information widely available. Menopause-related challenges also carry a significant economic impact. A Mayo Clinic study estimates that menopausal symptoms cost U.S. employers $1.8 billion annually in lost productivity, with related health care costs exceeding $26.6 billion. Similar legislation recently passed in Louisiana with broad bipartisan support, signaling growing national momentum on this issue. “The Michigan Women’s Commission (MWC) is hearing from women all across Michigan as we hold Menopause, It’s a Movement! conversations. They are seeking and getting answers to questions surrounding menopause care through our conversations. They are asking that insurance cover this care. The MWC applauds Rep. Rogers and other legislators for introducing these bipartisan bills that will help Michigan women afford the care they deserve during this natural life transition,” said Cheryl Bergman, executive director of MWC. “As an obstetrician-gynecologist, I’ve seen firsthand how hormone replacement therapies allow women to reclaim their energy, clarity and productivity, unlocking what potentially could be the most powerful and fulfilling phase of their lives. Support these legislative agendas not just for change, but for true progress in women’s health,” said Gonzalo Rodriguez, Jr., MD, FACOG. For more information, contact the office of state Rep. Julie M. Rogers at (517) 373-1783 or JulieRogers@house.mi.gov. |
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