Sponsors (27)
The bill directs HHS to study and report on gaps in pain management during gynecologic care—potentially improving access and equity through evidence-based recommendations—but benefits may be delayed, nonbinding, and require federal spending.
Women undergoing gynecologic procedures may gain improved access to pain relief if the study identifies coverage, training, or resource gaps and leads to corrective actions.
Policymakers (and taxpayers) will receive an evidence-based HHS report within 24 months to guide potential legislation or regulatory changes on pain-management coverage and access.
Women from marginalized or low-income communities may see more equitable pain management if stakeholder engagement and the study's findings lead to targeted policies.
Women seeking better pain management may face delays—up to 24 months—for study findings and recommendations, postponing immediate policy or practice changes.
If the study's recommendations are nonbinding, low-income women and other affected patients may not see insurers or providers change coverage or practices, leaving access gaps unresolved.
Taxpayers and health systems will incur costs to conduct the research and stakeholder engagement, requiring federal spending or reallocation of resources.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Introduced March 30, 2026 by Yassamin Ansari · Last progress March 30, 2026
Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a comprehensive study identifying barriers that prevent health care providers from offering and patients from accessing pain management methods during gynecologic procedures. The study must review existing research (and carry out new research if needed), engage a range of stakeholders, and deliver a report with findings and any administrative or legislative recommendations to two Congressional committees within 24 months of enactment. The study must define and consider a broad set of “pain management methods,” examine factors such as insurance coverage, provider training, and resource constraints, and include input from patients, providers, professional societies, health equity experts, and device manufacturers.