State Gov. – Rep. Joanne Shofner Appointed to New House Subcommittee on Maternal Health, Menopause, and Access to Evidence-Based Medicine

Editorial Team

Information Provided by Campaign Media Contact: Juliana Peceli – Phone: (512) 463-0592 – Email: Juliana.Peceli@house.texas.gov

AUSTIN, TX – State Representative Joanne Shofner (R) has been appointed to the newly established House Subcommittee on Maternal Health, Menopause and Access to Evidence-Based Medicine, formed by Chairman Gary VanDeaver of the House Committee on Public Health following supplemental interim charges from Speaker Dustin Burrows. Representative Katrina Pierson will chair the subcommittee, joined by Representative Liz Campos and Representative Joanne Shofner.

“I appreciate the trust Speaker Burrows and Chairman VanDeaver have placed in me to help lead this important work alongside my friend, and new Chairwoman, Rep. Katrina Pierson.” said Rep. Shofner. “East Texas knows that wisdom, not bureaucracy, should guide our approach to women’s healthcare. Women in rural communities face unique challenges that I am eager to address, and I’m honored to champion the women and mothers of House District 11 on this subcommittee.”

Under the Speaker’s supplemental interim charges to the Committee on Public Health, the subcommittee will study:

  1. Study opportunities to increase preventive efforts and early detection of hormone imbalances, including the provision of baseline reproductive hormone testing.
  2. Study the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat perimenopause or menopause symptoms and reduce associated risks. Evaluate HRT coverage availability and identify and recommend methods to expand access to physician-prescribed HRT. Review additional access barriers that limit patients’ and their doctors’ freedom to choose the best course of care.
  3. Review ways to reduce administrative barriers for new parents, including automatic insurance enrollment of newborns.
  4. Evaluate the benefits of iron and other essential supplements for pregnant women. Identify methods to expand access to supplementation and related testing, and prenatal nutrition.
  5. Evaluate the effectiveness of the Healthy Texas Women and related women’s health programs and identify ways to enhance services for eligible Texans.
  6. Review parental leave policies for state employees. Specifically, consider if additional leave should be permitted when a newborn is admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.

The subcommittee is expected to hold hearings and gather testimony from medical experts, advocacy organizations, and Texans directly affected by these issues before reporting its findings and recommendations