Chair Farías reads Councilmember Lewis statement supporting Intro 295
Lewis says the bill would require DOHMH screening, referrals, education, and support, cites CDC data on endometriosis and PCOS, explains the 2026 renaming to PMOS, and urges support for Intro 295-A.
I'll now read a statement from Councilmember Lewis.
Thank you, Chair Farias, for your leadership on and for moving Introduction 295 forward today.
Intro 295 would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to establish a menstrual health program providing
screening, referrals, and education and support for endometriosis and polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS.
It would also expand the city's sexual and reproductive health outreach to include these conditions.
The need is significant.
Federal data from the CDC shows that among women ages 20 to 49, 6.2% has been diagnosed with endometriosis and 8.7% with PCOS in 2022 and 2023.
Among women diagnosed with either condition, rates of current fertility problems were substantially higher than among women without these diagnoses.
Here in New York City, our own Department of Health recognizes that both conditions can cause significant symptoms, including painful or irregular periods, infertility, fatigue, and other health complications.
Yet too many women continue to face gaps in awareness, diagnosis, and access to appropriate care.
That is why the amendment to recognize PMOS is so important.
In 2026, the medical community adopted paleoendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome as the new name for the condition previously known as PCOS.
The change reflects a broader understanding
that this is a complex endocrine and metabolic condition that affects much more than just the ovaries.
For too long, women's health needs have been shut out of conversations, research, education, and public health systems that determine whether people receive care.
We have an opportunity to change that by making accurate information and pathways to
to care part of our city's public health infrastructure.
I urge my colleagues to support Introduction 295A, and I look forward to continuing the work to ensure that every New Yorker has access to the information, screening, referrals, and support they need to take control of their health.
Thank you.