Committee hears widespread testimony supporting endometriosis education, statewide resource center and provider training

The Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee held a lengthy hearing on SB 5985 on Jan. 22, which would establish state-supported resources and education for endometriosis.

Julie Tran, committee staff, said the bill directs the University of Washington — in collaboration with Washington State University and other stakeholders — to create an online resource center focused on endometriosis by July 1, 2028. The Department of Health would develop provider training modules tied to that resource by July 1, 2030, and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) would consider differentiating typical menstrual discomfort from severe symptoms in health and physical-education learning standards.

Vice Chair Orwell described the problem in human terms — citing that roughly one in 10 women are affected and that the average diagnostic delay is about 10 to 12 years — and urged support. Medical experts and people with lived experience gave repeated examples of delayed diagnosis, multiple surgeries and long-term organ damage. Dr. Aparna Ramanathan, a minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon at the University of Washington Medicine, told the committee that lack of awareness among providers contributes to diagnostic delay and that improved education is essential to reduce harm.

Multiple people with lived experience described long periods of pain, misdiagnoses and repeated surgeries. Testimony emphasized that better education in schools and for primary-care providers could allow earlier recognition and treatment.

Committee staff recorded sizable sign-in counts for and against portions of the bill at various points in the hearing; the hearing closed with the committee thanking witnesses and urging continued work on the issue.

Next steps: The committee closed testimony; sponsors and staff will consider next procedural steps and any amendment language.