# Plain Language Summary: Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2021

This bill directs the federal government to increase research funding and public awareness about uterine fibroids, which are noncancerous tumors that grow in or on the uterus. Uterine fibroids are extremely common—affecting millions of women, particularly Black women who experience them at higher rates and often with more severe symptoms. The bill is named after former U.S. Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones, who was a champion for women's health issues during her time in Congress.

The legislation essentially tells the National Institutes of Health (the main federal agency that funds medical research) to prioritize studying uterine fibroids and to develop better ways to educate doctors and patients about the condition. This means more money will go toward understanding why fibroids develop, testing new treatment options, and figuring out why some groups of women are more affected than others. The bill also pushes for better education so that women experiencing symptoms like heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, or fertility problems can get diagnosed and treated more quickly and effectively.

For everyday people, this matters because it could lead to better treatment options, faster diagnoses, and more doctors who understand the condition well enough to help patients. Women who suffer from fibroids—which can significantly impact quality of life—would benefit from improved medical knowledge and potentially new therapies. Additionally, by focusing research attention on disparities in how fibroids affect different racial groups, the bill aims to address longstanding gaps in medical care and outcomes for Black women specifically.

Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2021

Booker, Cory A.

Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to expand research on, and take other actions to address, uterine fibroids. These are muscular tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus and may cause pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and reproductive issues. In coordination with the National Institutes of Health and appropriate federal agencies, HHS must undertake research activities on uterine fibroids. In addition, HHS must establish a database of services furnished to individuals diagnosed with uterine fibroids under Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program and must develop a report on federal and state expenditures for such services. Additionally, HHS must disseminate information on uterine fibroids to the public and to health care providers, including information on the&nbsp;elevated risk for minority women and available treatments.