Bill Text: NJ AR135 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges Congress to pass "Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act of 2025."
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 2)
Status: (Introduced) 2026-05-07 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee [AR135 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2026-AR135-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman ALEX SAUICKIE
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Urges Congress to pass "Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act of 2025."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging the United States Congress to pass the "Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act of 2025."
Whereas, There are approximately 2 million women veterans in the United States and an estimated 630,000, or about 30 percent, of those women veterans are between the ages of 40 and 54; and
Whereas, Women in this age group are likely experiencing the conditions and symptoms of perimenopause or menopause, with the onset of symptoms typically occurring in a woman's 40's or 50's; and
Whereas, Menopause is the natural biological process during which a woman's hormone levels change and the woman permanently stops having menstrual periods, and is diagnosed after 12 months without a menstrual period; and
Whereas, Symptoms of menopause may disrupt a woman's daily life and can include hot flashes, low energy, genital dryness, irritation, sexual dysfunction, urinary issues, dizziness, thinning hair, mood swings, and night sweats and other sleep disturbances; and
Whereas, Menopause is preceded by a period known as perimenopause, which can last from two to 10 years, during which a woman's body makes the natural transition to menopause with a decline in estrogen, progesterone, and ovary function; and
Whereas, Common symptoms can last for a few months to many years and may include irregular or missed periods, hot flashes, mood changes, sleep disturbances, brain fog, and weight gain; and
Whereas, Since perimenopause is a lesser-known stage of the menopause process, individuals may not realize that the symptoms the person is experiencing are related to perimenopause and may instead attribute the symptoms to aging, stress, anxiety, and depression, which can result in the delay of appropriate treatment from healthcare professionals; and
Whereas, The symptoms of perimenopause and menopause are often exacerbated in women veterans due to military experiences that have led to chronic physical and mental health conditions; and
Whereas, It is important that the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) tailor services to address the unique needs of women in this stage of life; and
Whereas, The "Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act of 2025" was introduced on January 7, 2025 and would require the United States Comptroller General to study and report on the medical services provided by the VA to veterans experiencing the symptoms of each stage of menopause and would require the Secretary of the VA to improve access to, and the quality of, menopause care; and
Whereas, New Jersey is grateful for the sacrifices that women in the military have made for this country and strives to ensure that women veterans receive the treatment required to manage menopause symptoms and improve their quality of life, careers, relationships, and long-term health; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House urges the United States Congress to pass the "Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act of 2025" to ensure that women veterans have access to the menopause care needed for an improved quality of life.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, every member of Congress elected from this State, and the Secretary of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the United States Congress to pass the "Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act of 2025," which would require the United States Comptroller General to study and report on the medical services provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to veterans experiencing the symptoms of each stage of menopause and would require the Secretary of the VA to improve access to, and the quality of, menopause care.
There are approximately 2 million women veterans in the United States and an estimated 630,000, or about 30 percent, of those women veterans are between the ages of 40 and 54, which is typically when the conditions and symptoms of perimenopause and menopause begin.
Menopause is the natural biological process during which a woman's hormone levels change and the woman permanently stops having menstrual periods, and is diagnosed after 12 months without a menstrual period. Symptoms of menopause may disrupt a woman's daily life and can include hot flashes, low energy, genital dryness, irritation, sexual dysfunction, urinary issues, dizziness, thinning hair, mood swings, and night sweats and other sleep problems. Menopause is preceded by a period known as perimenopause, which can last from two to 10 years, during which a woman's body makes the natural transition to menopause. Common symptoms can last for a few months to many years and may include irregular or missed periods, hot flashes, mood changes, sleep disturbances, brain fog, and weight gain. Since perimenopause is a lesser-known stage of the menopause process, individuals may not realize that the symptoms the person is experiencing are related to perimenopause and may instead attribute the symptoms to aging, stress, anxiety, and depression, which may result in the delay of appropriate treatment from healthcare professionals.
The symptoms of perimenopause and menopause are often exacerbated in women veterans due to military experiences that have led to chronic physical and mental health conditions. It is important that the VA tailor services to address the unique needs of women in this stage of life. New Jersey is grateful for the sacrifices that women in the military have made for this country and strives to ensure that women veterans receive the treatment needed to manage menopause symptoms and improve their quality of life, careers, relationships, and long-term health.
