AUSTIN, TX (Oct. 6, 2026) —State Representative Katrina Pierson (House District 33), Chair of the House Subcommittee on Maternal Health, Menopause, and Access to Evidence-Based Medicine, yesterday convened the subcommittee’s second interim hearing, focused on early detection of hormone imbalances and access to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause.
“Too many women spend years going from appointment to appointment with symptoms that get dismissed, misread, or treated one at a time,” said Rep. Pierson. “Each symptom gets its own prescription, and too often no one connects the dots.”
The subcommittee took invited testimony on two interim charges:
Hormone Imbalance Detection: Study opportunities to increase preventive efforts and early detection of hormone imbalances, including the provision of baseline reproductive hormone testing.
Hormone Replacement Therapy: Study the use of HRT to treat perimenopause or menopause symptoms and reduce associated risks, evaluate HRT coverage availability, identify methods to expand access to physicianprescribed HRT, and review additional barriers that limit patients’ and their doctors’ freedom to choose the best course of care.
Witnesses included physicians, nurse practitioners, officials from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, health plan representatives, and diagnostic laboratory representatives.
“The best course of care is a decision for a woman and her doctor, not an insurance company or a pharmacy,” said Rep. Pierson. “We will look at the evidence, find where the system is getting in the way of that decision, and identify what the legislature can do about it.”
Both charges track priorities in the Texas Women’s Health Initiative, which Rep. Pierson announced in August.
The initiative calls for improved coverage of early hormone testing to establish a baseline, and improved access to physician-prescribed hormones, compounded medications, and laboratory monitoring for perimenopause and menopause treatment.
The subcommittee will use yesterday’s testimony to develop recommendations ahead of the 90th Legislative Session.
Submitted press release. State Representative Katrina Pierson represents Texas House District 33, including Rockwall County and portions of southern Collin County. She serves on the House Committees on Public Health and Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans’ Affairs, and chairs the Subcommittee on Maternal Health, Menopause, and Access to Evidence-Based Medicine.
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