SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford led legislation that would address gaps in women’s health care by reducing barriers to perimenopause and menopause care and preventing workplace discrimination for people who experience related health conditions.
“Illinois must lead the way in offering comprehensive care to patients who experience perimenopause and menopause symptoms, and we can only do that by reducing the obstacles to treatment that far too many women have faced,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “By requiring private health plans to cover evaluations and treatments when necessary, we can directly reduce financial barriers to care and promote preventive efforts that combat chronic menopause conditions.”
Under current law, Illinois requires insurance coverage for FDA-approved menopause treatment to ensure a person’s income does not obstruct them from receiving sufficient care. Lightford’s measure would broaden coverage requirements, mandating private health plans in the state cover the medically necessary evaluation and treatment of menopause and perimenopause conditions, including hormone conditions and medications.
Additionally, the legislation aims to safeguard workplace protections by prohibiting employers from discriminating against an employee experiencing menopause-related conditions, such as hot flashes, metabolic changes or forgetfulness – a common symptom of menopause often referred to as “brain fog.” To ensure employees who experience conditions have equitable civil rights in their work environment, reasonable accommodations, including flexible scheduling, temperature control workspaces and remote work options, would be required.
In 2023, the Mayo Clinic published a study revealing menopause-related symptoms do not only adversely affect the quality of life women have at home, but they also cost women an estimated $1.8 billion in lost work time per year – $26.6 billion annually with medical expenses factored in. Lightford’s proposal would ensure workplaces adopt supportive policies that promote both employee safety and retention with the goal of curbing discrimination and enhancing productivity.
“For many women, perimenopause or menopause onset at the peak of their career, and if their place of employment doesn’t offer flexible hours and conditions, it can lead to less productive work environments and, in some cases, unneeded turnover,” said Lightford. “This measure is about taking an actionable step to protect some of the most valuable actors not just in our workforce, but also in our society.”
House Bill 5284 passed the Senate Thursday.
