Urges Congress to pass "Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act of 2025."

AR135

ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 135

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MAY 7, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman� ALEX SAUICKIE

District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblyman Scharfenberger

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.