(The Center Square) – As the Pennsylvania House considers how to wield its power to influence public health discourse, a committee discussion on menopause and perimenopause revealed starkly different approaches to women’s health.
A resolution from Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Paoli, would direct the Joint State Government Commission to “conduct a study and issue a report on workplace policies related to perimenopause and menopause offered by public and private employers.
“Perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms may contribute to women missing work and estimates show that productivity losses and health expenses for employees who are experiencing symptoms amount to almost $26.6 billion a year for the U.S. economy,” wrote Shusterman in the resolution’s sponsorship memo.
“It’s time that we elevate our conversations to discuss appropriate action in terms of workplace policies for both public and private employers,” says the memo. “Additionally, to empower women with their healthcare options, we need to consider legislative recommendations so that state agencies may adopt policies for awareness, education, and support.”
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Health Committee’s discussion centered the thoughts of its female members on the topic, particularly the thoughts of Republican women, most of whom stood in opposition.
Committee Chair Rep. Kathy Rapp, R-Warren, ultimately gave her support after expressing initial hesitation about overreach into private business and worries that the government could not afford to fund additional studies for non-urgent issues. Her concerns were alleviated by changes to the resolution’s language and assurance from the Joint State Government Commission that it would not create any additional appropriations to conduct.
Other arguments revealed conflicting opinions about women’s bodies and menopause itself.
“Perimenopause and menopause are perfectly normal parts of life,” said Rep. Joanne Stehr, R-Hegins. “Some people have it a little more difficult than others, but I think this could be wrought with fraught and just another excuse not to come to work if we address it in this manner.”
Rep. Stephanie Borowicz, R-Lock Haven, suggested that the government “doesn’t know the definition of a female and called the resolution “absurd.”
“This also happens to men because men sweat,” said Rep. Leslie Rossi, R-Mount Pleasant, who described having a sweaty male coworker and recommended women with a problem speak to their employers individually. “I just wanted to comment that men matter, too.”
That men matter is something that has been well-established within the health care field. According to the American Association of Medical Colleges, women were “rarely included in clinical trials” and continue to be underrepresented in research today. Disparities between men and women’s health care are particularly notable for causing delayed diagnoses and untreated pain in women.
“We seem to be at the beginning of a larger conversation around menopause and perimenopause,” said majority committee Chair Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Pittsburgh, who said there are currently 10 memos circulating on the topic. “This resolution seems like an important initial step as legislators consider our other efforts.”
The resolution passed 16-10 from committee.
