H.R. 2717

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To direct the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to take certain steps regarding research related to menopause, perimenopause, or mid-life women’s health, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · April 8, 2025 · Sponsor: Ms. Houlahan

Table of contents

• H.R. 2717
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Evaluation of certain research related to menopause, perimenopause, or mid-life women’s health
  • SEC. 3. Sense of Congress on additional research related to menopause, perimenopause, or mid-life women’s health

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act.

SEC. 2. Evaluation of certain research related to menopause, perimenopause, or mid-life women’s health

• (a) In general
  • The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall evaluate—
    • the results of completed research related to menopause, perimenopause, or mid-life women’s health among women who are members of the Armed Forces or veterans;
    • the status of such research that is ongoing;
    • any gaps in knowledge and research on—
      • treatments, including hormone and non-hormone treatments, for menopause-related symptoms;
      • the safety and effectiveness of treatments for menopause-related symptoms;
      • the relation of service in the Armed Forces to perimenopause and menopause and the impact of such service on perimenopause and menopause;
      • the effect of combat roles on symptoms relating to perimenopause and menopause, including exposure to burn pits, toxic chemicals, and PFAS; and
      • the impact of perimenopause and menopause on the mental health of women who are members of the Armed Forces or veterans;
    • the availability of and uptake of professional training resources for covered providers relating to mid-life women’s health with respect to the care, treatment, and management of perimenopause and menopausal symptoms, and related support services; and
    • the availability of and uptake of treatments for women who are members of the Armed Forces or veterans who are experiencing perimenopause or menopause.
• (b) Report; strategic plan
  • Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall each submit to Congress a report containing—
    • the findings of the evaluation conducted under subsection (a);
    • recommendations for improving professional training resources described in subsection (a)(4) for covered providers; and
    • a strategic plan that—
      • resolves the gaps in knowledge and research identified in the report; and
      • identifies topics in need of further research relating to potential treatments for menopause-related symptoms of women who are members of the Armed Forces or veterans.
• (c) Nonduplication and supplementation of efforts
  • In carrying out activities under this section, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that such activities supplement, and minimize the duplication of, existing efforts of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to share information regarding matters described in subsection (a).
• (d) Definitions
  • In this section:
    • The term covered provider means a health care provider who is an employee of the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    • The term — menopause
    • The term means a life stage for a woman that— mid-life
    • The term — perimenopause
    • The term means perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. PFAS
    • The term means a period— postmenopausal

SEC. 3. Sense of Congress on additional research related to menopause, perimenopause, or mid-life women’s health

• It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should each conduct research related to menopause, perimenopause, or mid-life health regarding women who are members of the Armed Forces or veterans.