# Shifting attitudes on menopause spark wave of state protections  
**Published:** 2026-05-17T16:58:28.000Z  
**Source:** [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/17/repub/shifting-attitudes-on-menopause-drive-lawmakers-to-push-for-new-protections/)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://lincolne.news/article/shifting-attitudes-on-menopause-spark-wave-of-state-protections

States across the country are advancing unprecedented legislation to address menopause in the workplace and ensure insurance coverage for treatments, responding to a generational shift in attitudes about a condition long considered taboo.

More than 60 pieces of menopause-related legislation have been introduced nationwide this year, with [26 states having enacted menopause laws since 2019](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/17/repub/shifting-attitudes-on-menopause-drive-lawmakers-to-push-for-new-protections/), according to reporting from the Nebraska Examiner. The legislation falls into four categories: mandating insurance coverage for treatments, requiring workplace accommodations, launching awareness campaigns, and providing healthcare provider education.

[Five states now require health insurers to cover menopause treatments: Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington](https://www.liveinsurancenews.com/states-cover-menopause-treatment/8572360/). New Jersey enacted [the most comprehensive mandate in the country, requiring coverage of hormonal therapies, non-hormonal therapies, pelvic floor physical therapy, bone health screenings, behavioral health care and preventive services for conditions like cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis](https://www.liveinsurancenews.com/states-cover-menopause-treatment/8572360/).

In June 2025, Rhode Island became the first state to mandate workplace accommodations for menopause-related conditions, adding protections similar to those for pregnancy. Democratic state Sen. Lori Urso, who sponsored the legislation, said she struggled personally with menopause and introduced her bill after colleagues expressed shock at her testimony detailing the symptoms' impact on work performance. "They said, 'Oh my god, I had no idea about any of this,'" Urso recalled.

Jacqueline Perez, founder of a website dedicated to normalizing aging for women, said culture around menopause treatment has changed dramatically since her own experience nearly a decade ago. When she began experiencing severe brain fog and other symptoms, she initially feared early-onset dementia. "We still have a long way to go, in my opinion, but I think at least we're on the path," Perez said.

[In November 2025, the FDA removed its most severe "black box" warning from hormone replacement therapy products](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/hhs-advances-womens-health-removes-misleading-fda-warnings-hormone-replacement-therapy), citing [new research showing the presumed risks of cancer, stroke and dementia were based on flawed methodology](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/hhs-advances-womens-health-removes-misleading-fda-warnings-hormone-replacement-therapy). That action has led to increased demand for hormone therapies, with some products experiencing nationwide shortages.

Lawmakers note the momentum is bipartisan. Representatives in conservative Louisiana and liberal Illinois, Oregon and Washington have all approved insurance coverage bills. New Jersey Assemblywoman Heather Simmons, who drafted the state's comprehensive law, said she faced an uphill battle when her own healthcare providers were unable to link her symptoms to menopause due to lack of knowledge. "I'm just so grateful that my generation and the generations that follow me are saying no, we deserve better than that," Simmons said.

Claire Gill, founder of the National Menopause Foundation, said interest from both the public and clinicians has noticeably increased over the past seven years. She emphasized the importance of bone health screenings, noting that [women lose up to 20% of bone density in the first five years after menopause, yet bone density tests are typically only covered by insurance at age 65](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/17/repub/shifting-attitudes-on-menopause-drive-lawmakers-to-push-for-new-protections/).

## Sources

- [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/17/repub/shifting-attitudes-on-menopause-drive-lawmakers-to-push-for-new-protections/)
- [Live Insurance News reporting on state menopause insurance mandates](https://www.liveinsurancenews.com/states-cover-menopause-treatment/8572360/)
- [FDA press announcement on removal of black box warnings from hormone replacement therapy](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/hhs-advances-womens-health-removes-misleading-fda-warnings-hormone-replacement-therapy)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Nebraska Examiner, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/17/repub/shifting-attitudes-on-menopause-drive-lawmakers-to-push-for-new-protections/.