Advancing Women’s Health and Ending ‘Period Poverty’
At the end of May, Pennsylvania wrapped up Women’s Health Month, a time to consider, discuss and educate people on the health issues that impact women and girls, and their families. But really, an issue as important as women’s health and one that impacts more than 50% of the population should be a topic of conversation year-round.
Rep. Joanna E. McClinton June 5, 2024 | 11:04 AM
At the end of May, Pennsylvania wrapped up Women’s Health Month, a time to consider, discuss and educate people on the health issues that impact women and girls, and their families. But really, an issue as important as women’s health and one that impacts more than 50% of the population should be a topic of conversation year-round.
In Harrisburg, throughout the month we advanced several measures that would improve health outcomes for women and their families, including three measures from the MOMNIBUS bill package that I discussed last month.
Two of the bills would make home blood pressure monitors more accessible to women by expanding Medical Assistance programs (H.B. 2097) and requiring private insurers (H.B. 2138) to cover the at-home monitors as a pregnancy-related service. Monitoring an expectant women’s blood pressure can detect hypertension, which is common in pregnant people, but if left untreated can lead to severe pregnancy complications. Early detection and intervention can keep mothers safe.
Another bill (H.B. 1608) would extend Medicaid coverage to doula services and create an advisory board to develop best practices and accreditation standards for doulas in Pennsylvania.
Each of these bills passed the House with wide bipartisan support.
In May, we also elevated another women’s issue: menstrual equity. Too often topics like periods, menstruation and menopause have been deemed too personal or sensitive to be talked about in public. But the truth is, those topics impact all women and are natural bodily processes that we shouldn’t be ashamed of or need to whisper about.
Menstruation is not just a health issue, but an economic one as well, because menstrual products are expensive, and it can be a struggle for women and families to afford them. In fact, 1 in 4 women have missed school or work because they can’t afford the period products they need.
A student may need to be absent from class or stay home from school, while women may miss work, which means they lose out on pay, and employers sacrifice productivity. It can cause anxiety, embarrassment and other health issues, especially if a woman relies on unsanitary products like socks or newspapers to provide protection during her period.
This issue is called “period poverty,” and it has gone on too long. But we have solutions.
Last summer, the state House passed a bill (H.B. 850) that would allow thousands of low-income women and girls to purchase period products using SNAP or WIC benefits. Currently these programs do not allow for the purchase of menstrual products despite them being a necessity.
Another bill (H.B. 851) would create a grant program to allow schools to provide period products to students at no cost. Governor Josh Shapiro even included a similar provision in his 2024-25 state budget proposal. He earmarked $3 million for schools to provide feminine hygiene products to students, because no one should have to miss class because they got their period during the school day.
Unfortunately, the state Senate has not acted on the House’s legislation and the Senate’s highest-ranking leader even mocked the governor’s proposal saying that providing period products in schools is too liberal an idea.
Despite the Senate opposition, I’m hopeful that we can get these important bills to the governor’s desk and signed into law. And be assured that my colleagues and I will not stop pushing for health and economic equity for women. You can learn more by visiting my website: www.repmcclinton.com. And together we can build a movement, not just a moment.
PA Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton represents portions of Philadelphia and Delaware counties. She is the first woman and second African American to serve as speaker of the nation’s oldest, continuously operating state legislative body.