Menopause awareness takes on a new meaning in PA
Rep. Melissa Shusterman September 29, 2026 | 4:18 PM
HARRISBURG, Sep. 29 – State Sen. Maria Collett, and Reps. Melissa Shusterman, Liz Hanbidge and Morgan Cephas are celebrating the success of the ‘No Time for a Pause’ package of menopause-related legislation.
The No Time for a Pause package highlights legislative efforts for greater insurance coverage, workplace accommodations, preventative care and education on menopause. The state House reported seven of the bills out of committee and passed one bill in the chamber on a variety of topics covering:
- Menopause Education
- Insurance Coverage for Menopause
- Pelvic Floor Health Insurance
- Preventative Measures for Hip Fractures
- Insurance Coverage for Vaginal Estrogen and to Prevent UTIs
- Workplace Protections
- Medicaid Coverage for Menopause
The makers of these bills, public health professionals, advocacy organizations and supporters celebrated these wins and the No Time for a Pause movement with a rally and a further call to action.
Shusterman explained, “Menopause is more than a minor inconvenience; it is a health crisis. From years of lost sleep and debilitating brain fog to frozen joints and brittle bones, these severe symptoms demand action. Every single piece of legislation in the No Time for a Pause package serves a purpose in delivering better care, education and treatment for the women of PA.
“My bills, House Bill 1827 and 2545, focus on preventative measures for hip fractures, UTIs and insurance coverage for vaginal estrogen. I’m also proud to announce my resolution, House Resolution 287, to direct the Joint State Government Commission to study workplace policies on perimenopause and menopause was approved by the House on a vote of 159-44. There is a LOT to celebrate today!”
“As a nurse and member of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women, I want to make sure that all women in Pennsylvania are equipped and empowered to handle the changes that come with menopause,” said Collett, D-Montgomery. “I'm proud to be working with champions like Representatives Liz Hanbidge, Leanne Krueger and Morgan Cephas to improve menopause education for healthcare providers, require insurance coverage for menopause care, and give patients the resources they need to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.”
“Menopause and perimenopause affect our health, our families, our work and our quality of life, yet too many people still feel unseen and unsupported,” said Cephas, D-Phila. “House Bills 1345 and 2135 are designed to expand access to treatment and prioritize the needs of aging populations in our workforce and healthcare system. Advancing this legislation helps us to break the stigma, raise awareness and ensure health equity.”
“For too long, women experiencing perimenopause and menopause have been overlooked in our health care system, workplaces and communities,” said Hanbidge, D-Montgomery. “The passage of this package is an important step toward changing that. Women deserve accurate information, evidence-based care and the support they need to stay healthy, work and thrive. Menopause affects women’s health, quality of life, careers and families, with an economic impact of $26.6 billion each year. This legislation recognizes that women’s health matters at every stage of life and begins breaking down the barriers that have held too many women back.”
Shusterman said women’s health has been ignored by government for far too long and it is past time menopause is not only talked about but also voted on. The No Time for a Pause campaign will continue to bring the topic of menopause to the forefront of conversations on women’s health in Pennsylvania.