Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today introduced a resolution recognizing the significance of endometriosis as an unmet chronic disease for women and designating March 2022 as National Endometriosis Awareness Month. This resolution would also encourage the U.S. Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Defense and Veterans Affairs to provide information on endometriosis to women, patients and providers and to improve screening tools and treatment options.
“Even though one out of every ten women of reproductive age in America suffers from endometriosis—which can be extremely painful and lead to infertility—too often this disease doesn’t receive adequate attention and funding,” Duckworth said. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution with Senator Capito to raise awareness for this debilitating disease and recognize the resilient women affected by it.”
“It’s important for women living with endometriosis to talk about and seek treatment for their condition,” Capito said. “With this resolution, I’m proud to join Senator Duckworth in bringing more awareness and attention to endometriosis on behalf of the millions of women affected by it.”
Endometriosis is one of the most common gynecological diseases, affecting 6.5 million Americans. Women can suffer up to a decade before being properly diagnosed.
The resolution is also co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Cory Booker (D-NJ). The resolution is supported by American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Endometriosis Foundation; Society for Women’s Health Research and Women First Research Coalition.
Duckworth has made protecting and expanding access to essential women’s healthcare a top priority as a Senator. Last year, President Biden signed Duckworth’s bipartisan Protecting Moms Who Served Act into law to help address the maternal mortality crisis among women Veterans by improving care at VA facilities and shedding light on the scope of this crisis, particularly among women of color. Duckworth also worked with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to secure a provision in the American Rescue Plan that gives states a five-year option to extend healthcare coverage for new moms on Medicaid from 60 days after pregnancy to a full year. The provision was based off of legislation that Duckworth, Durbin and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) re-introduced last year that seeks to reduce America’s rising maternal and infant mortality rate. Additionally, Duckworth introduced the Support Through Loss Act last year to raise awareness about pregnancy loss and establish new paid leave benefits for workers experiencing painful challenges while seeking to grow their family.
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