The Men’s Health Act, a bipartisan bill that would create an Office of Men’s Health within the Department of Health and Human Services, is scheduled to be introduced in the U.S. Senate on Thursday by Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), co-sponsored by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.).
The bill, which mirrors a bipartisan bill introduced in the House this year, would require the Government Accountability Office’s findings on the health of men in the United States to be submitted within a year of enactment. Following this report and incorporating its findings, the Office will coordinate existing and new research to raise awareness about both men’s physical and mental health.
There have been several attempts to create such an office in the past, and although this year’s push has gained strong momentum, supporters believe it could still be years before the bill passes both chambers and the office is created. The House proposal was the first to receive bipartisan support and also received outspoken support from the Trump administration, particularly from Assistant Secretary of Health Brian Christine, a urologist who has worked primarily with men for 20 years.
Federal Men’s Health Agency closer than ever, but probably still years away
“Men face a growing health crisis,” Gallego said in a statement to STAT. “Rather than let men continue to struggle in silence, this bill establishes the Office of Men’s Health to advance preventive care and life-saving research.”
“The senator is a veteran with PTSD who has lost too many Marine brothers to suicide,” a spokesperson for Gallego said. “Now, as a father of two young boys, he wants to make sure the next generation grows up healthy and has access to life-saving preventive care.” Gallego is particularly concerned about the impact of a “keep it up” mentality that prevents men from seeking care, whether it’s for mental health or to get regular check-ups.
It has been 20 years since a similar bill was last considered in the Senate. Previous versions, introduced between 2000 and 2007, had only partisan support with one exception and never passed the floor.
This time, men’s health advocates and experts believe the situation is different, and see the fact that the bill has bipartisan support in both houses of Congress as a positive sign.
“I’m very excited and encouraged to see men’s health receiving bipartisan attention in the Senate. Any effort to raise awareness, improve access to evidence-based care, and support research on men’s health disparities is an important step forward,” said Helen Barney, director of men’s sexual and reproductive health at Indiana University and a longtime men’s health advocate at the American Urological Association. “As with any legislation, its impact will ultimately depend on implementation, sustained funding, and ensuring that the recommendations lead to improved health outcomes for patients,” he cautioned.
The American Urological Association also welcomed the bill. “We look forward to working with our coalition partners to add bipartisan sponsors,” said AUA Policy Council Chair Mark Edney.
STAT’s reporting on health issues facing men and boys is supported by Rise Together. Rise Together is a donor-advised fund sponsored and managed by the National Philanthropic Trust and established by Richard Reeves, founding president of the American Association of Boys and Men. and by the Boston Foundation. Our financial supporters have no input into any decisions about our journalism.
