Fibroid Research Bill Authorizes $30M Annually to Tackle Health Disparities and Promote Alternatives to Hysterectomy

The Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2025 is a major push to address a common, yet often under-discussed, women’s health issue: uterine fibroids. This bill is built on the reality that up to 77% of women will develop fibroids by menopause, and the condition costs the U.S. economy billions annually in direct costs and lost work hours. The core of the legislation is a five-year plan to expand federal research, track public spending, and launch targeted education campaigns. Specifically, it authorizes $30 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for expanded research into the condition (Sec. 3).

The Research Reset: Targeting Gaps and Dollars

Congress is essentially telling the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to stop treating fibroids like a footnote. The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to expand, intensify, and coordinate all federal research efforts related to uterine fibroids. This isn't just about throwing money at the problem; it’s about making sure the NIH and other agencies are working together effectively to study the causes, treatments, and prevention of this condition. For those dealing with chronic pain and heavy bleeding, this coordinated effort means a higher chance of finding better, non-surgical treatment options down the road. The mandate also includes a specific focus on closing the data gap regarding prevalence in Asian, Hispanic, and Black communities (Sec. 2).

Why Data Matters: Tracking Medicaid Costs

Beyond research, the bill mandates a deep dive into how much fibroid treatment costs the public healthcare system. HHS must set up a system to collect data on services provided for fibroid diagnoses and treatment under both Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program). Within two years of enactment, the Secretary must report back to Congress with a detailed breakdown of federal and state expenditures on these treatments (Sec. 4). This provision is critical for accountability; it allows policymakers to see exactly where taxpayer dollars are going and how much is being spent on managing a condition that often leads to expensive surgeries, like hysterectomies.

Education: Promoting Options Beyond Surgery

One of the most impactful sections for everyday people is the mandate for widespread education. The bill requires HHS to create public information materials that highlight the prevalence of fibroids, the higher risk faced by minority individuals, and—crucially—the available treatment options that do not involve a hysterectomy (Sec. 5). For a woman facing debilitating symptoms, knowing there are fertility-sparing options (like certain FDA-approved drugs or devices) is essential, especially since fibroids are the leading reason women undergo hysterectomies. This information will be shared through partnerships with non-profits, universities, and advocacy groups, ensuring it reaches the public where they are.

Talking to the Docs: Evidence-Based Care

It’s not enough to educate the public; providers need to be on the same page. The bill requires HHS to partner with major medical groups to promote evidence-based care for fibroids, with a specific focus on reaching health care providers who serve minority individuals (Sec. 6). This is an acknowledgement that treatment quality can vary, and providers must be kept up-to-date on the latest, least-invasive options. This effort aims to standardize care and ensure that a patient in a rural clinic gets the same quality information about fertility-sparing treatments as someone in a major city hospital. The funding for both the public education and provider information campaigns is authorized as “such sums as may be necessary” through 2030, which gives HHS flexibility but means the actual amount spent will depend entirely on future appropriations.