SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois lawmakers hope to pass bills this spring to help women receive proper medical treatment for menopause. 

Healthcare professionals in Illinois are already required to complete a one-hour implicit bias training during their license renewal period. A new bill could allow a course covering perimenopause and menopause to satisfy the on hour training requirement.

"These are real medical experiences that deserve informed evidence-based responses," said Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). "When providers are equipped with better knowledge, patients receive better healthcare."

Senate Bill 3325 passed unanimously out of the Senate Licensed Activities Committee last week. The full Senate could vote on the plan over the coming weeks.

A separate plan could ban private insurance companies from requiring prior authorization, or step therapy, for menopause treatment approved by doctors and the FDA. The legislation would also require education on menopause and perimenopause recognition and management at all Illinois medical schools.

"We need to talk about it," said Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). "You know, we deserve the same healthcare as everybody else. This is an issue of equity, and we’re going to keep fighting for that."

Senate Bill 3688 is assigned to the Senate Insurance Committee. The deadline to pass substantive bills out of Senate committees is March 13. 

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