SPRINGFIELD – State Senators Adriane Johnson and Meg Loughran Cappel stood together Thursday to outline legislation aimed at breaking down barriers to menopause treatment and strengthening medical education around perimenopause and menopause care.

“Menopause is a natural stage of life, yet far too many women struggle in silence or face unnecessary barriers to care,” Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) said. “By expanding education opportunities for providers and removing red tape for patients, we are taking meaningful steps toward improving health outcomes and validating women’s lived experiences.”

The measures would expand insurance access to FDA-approved menopause therapies and ensure health care professionals receive education to better recognize and manage symptoms experienced by millions of women.

Johnson’s legislation, Senate Bill 3325, would allow a continuing education course covering perimenopause and menopause to count toward the one-hour implicit bias awareness training already required for health care professional license renewal. The implicit bias training requirement has been in place since Jan. 1, 2023. The bill would not create a new mandate but would rather incentivize providers to expand their knowledge of menopause care while fulfilling existing requirements.

Loughran Cappel’s legislation, Senate Bill 3688, would prohibit private health insurance plans in Illinois from requiring prior authorization or step therapy for menopause therapies that are FDA-approved, guideline-supported and prescribed by a qualified clinician. The bill aims to build on previous bipartisan efforts to expand menopause coverage that took effect Jan. 1, 2026.

“My measure would require medical professionals, including nurses and physician assistants, to learn about menopause and perimenopause during medical school,” said State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “In order to properly take care of our residents, we need our health care providers to be well-educated on the topic of menopause.”

Senate Bills 3325 and 3688 await further action.