It’s Time Maryland Took Menopause Seriously

Dawn Gile

Senator, District 33

Hot flashes. Sleepless nights. Persistent brain fog. What sounds like the symptoms of a high fever is, for many women, daily life during menopause.

This is a significant public health and economic issue. Menopause can affect workforce participation, mental health, cardiovascular risk, bone health and overall quality of life. Yet too often, women seeking care are dismissed with a familiar refrain: it’s just part of getting older. That response is not only outdated; it is harmful.

In the past year, there have been meaningful advances in how the medical community understands and treats menopause. In October 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration removed its longstanding “black box warning” on hormone replacement therapy, correcting earlier interpretations of the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative study that overstated risk. The science has evolved. Treatment decisions today are guided by individualized, evidence-based care. Maryland’s policies, however, have not kept pace.

Across the country, states are beginning to close gaps in menopause care through thoughtful legislation. At the same time, women have been speaking out about their experiences: struggling to find knowledgeable providers, facing confusion or denial from insurers, and navigating symptoms that significantly disrupt their lives.

This session, I introduced Senate Bill 892 (SB 892) to address those gaps. The bill is cross-filed in the House by Delegate Heather Bagnall, and we have worked closely with partners including the Maryland Commission for Women and House leadership, including Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk, to align this effort with House Bill 1365 and move a coordinated, statewide response.

At its core, this legislation does two things. First, it strengthens provider education. Too many women report that when they seek care, they encounter clinicians who are not adequately trained in menopause management. SB 892 requires health occupations boards to establish continuing education standards so providers are equipped with current, evidence-based knowledge. This is about ensuring that when women walk into a doctor’s office, they are heard, understood and treated appropriately.

Second, it addresses insurance coverage. The bill requires insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and HMOs to cover the evaluation and management of menopause and related symptoms. For many women, cost is a real barrier. Some pay out of pocket. Others forgo care entirely. That should not be the case for a stage of life that affects half the population.

The consequences of inaction are real. Gaps in care and coverage can lead to worsening health outcomes, from untreated mental health challenges to increased long-term risks related to heart and bone health. Women should not have to fight their insurers or navigate this transition alone.

This is also about dignity. Menopause has long been stigmatized or ignored in public discourse. By addressing it directly, we send a clear message: women’s health matters at every stage of life.

Maryland has the opportunity to lead by modernizing its approach, aligning policy with current science, and ensuring that women have access to the care they need. SB 892 is a step in that direction. I am grateful to the constituents who shared their stories, the advocates and stakeholders who helped shape this legislation, and my colleagues in the General Assembly working to move it forward. We can, and should, do better for women in Maryland.

It is an honor to represent you. If you have questions or concerns, please contact my office at dawn.gile@senate.maryland.gov or 410-841-3568.