AN ACT directing the department of health and human services to conduct and support research and disseminate current information regarding uterine fibroids; and appropriating funds for these purposes.

Whereas, in the United States, an estimated 26,000,000 women between the ages of 15 and 50 have uterine fibroids and screening studies indicate the prevalence of uterine fibroids in women may be much higher; and

Whereas, uterine fibroids may cause significant morbidity through their presence in the uterus and pelvic cavity, causing significant pelvic pain, iron‑deficiency anemia, heavy bleeding, miscarriages, and infertility; and

Whereas, the pain, discomfort, stress, and other physical and emotional symptoms of living with fibroids may significantly interfere with a woman's quality of life, compromising her ability to function normally or work or care for her family, and may lead to more severe health and wellness issues; and

Whereas, the development of uterine fibroids is a common and significant health problem, affecting women, primarily of reproductive age, across all ages, racial backgrounds, and socioeconomic levels; and

Whereas, women who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups are more likely to develop uterine fibroids, with African American women having been shown to have more severe symptoms and to develop early‑onset uterine fibroids that develop into larger tumors; and

Whereas, there is little to no data describing the overall patient experience with fibroids; quantifying the costs associated with treating fibroids; or identifying proven, evidence‑based methods by which fibroids may be prevented; and

Whereas, according to the Evidence Report Summary on the Management of Uterine Fibroids, as compiled by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, there is a remarkable lack of high‑quality evidence supporting the effectiveness of most interventions for symptomatic fibroids; and

Whereas, the presence of symptomatic uterine fibroids is the most common reason for hysterectomies, accounting for approximately one‑third of hysterectomies, or 200,000 procedures annually; and twenty‑two percent (22%) of African American women and seven percent (7%) of Caucasian women have hysterectomies as a result of uterine fibroids; and

Whereas, lack of patient and provider awareness of less invasive alternatives to hysterectomies leads to an estimated 80,000 to 120,000 unnecessary hysterectomies annually; and

Whereas, uterine fibroids are also the leading cause of hospitalization related to a gynecological disorder; and

Whereas, the personal and societal costs of uterine fibroids in the United States are significant and include costs related to surgery, hospital admissions, outpatient visits, medications, and lost working hours; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  This act shall be known and may be cited as the Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2023.

SECTION 2.  Part 8 of Article 5 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

§ 130A‑131.26.  Uterine fibroid research and education.

(a)        The Department, in collaboration with the agencies, institutions, and organizations delineated in subsection (b) of this section, shall do the following:

(1)        Establish, expand, intensify, and coordinate programs to conduct and support research regarding uterine fibroids, with special emphasis on women who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups who are known to be disproportionately affected by uterine fibroids.

(2)        Collect data on items and services furnished to women receiving Medicaid and other State‑funded healthcare services who have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids and uterine fibroids‑related symptoms for the purpose of assessing the frequency at which such women are furnished such items and services.

(3)        Develop, annually update, and disseminate to healthcare providers information on uterine fibroids for the purpose of ensuring that healthcare providers remain informed about the most current information on uterine fibroids. Such information shall include the elevated risk for women who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups to develop uterine fibroids and the range of available options for the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids, including non‑hysterectomy drugs and devices approved under the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. § 301, et seq.

(4)        Beginning April 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services on any research and education activities undertaken by the Department pursuant to this section.

(b)        In fulfilling the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, the Department shall collaborate with representatives of the following:

(1)        The Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities.

(2)        The Division of Public Health.

(3)        The Division of Health Benefits.

(4)        The Department of State Treasurer, State Health Plan Division.

(5)        Colleges and universities located within the State that have conducted or are conducting research on uterine fibroids.

(6)        The Old North State Medical Society.

(7)        The North Carolina Medical Society.

(8)        Any other organizations located within the State that the Department deems relevant to the study and collection of data on uterine fibroids.

SECTION 3.  Effective July 1, 2023, there is appropriated to the Department of Health and Human Services the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in recurring funds for the 2023‑2024 fiscal year and the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in recurring funds for the 2024‑2025 fiscal year to conduct the research and education activities required by Section 2 of this act.

SECTION 4.  Except as otherwise provided, this act becomes effective October 1, 2023.