Council Member Blegay to Introduce Legislation to Expand Fibroid Healthcare Support

A quiet and deeply personal health crisis continues to shape the lives of thousands of women—often in silence, often in pain, and far too often without the care or clarity they deserve. Uterine fibroid tumors, long regarded as a common yet misunderstood condition, are now at the center of a bold legislative effort led by Wala Blegay (At-Large), whose own experience has transformed policy into purpose.

Fibroids—noncancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus—are among the most common gynecological conditions affecting women. Yet their prevalence tells only part of the story. Research from the National Institutes of Health reveals that more than 80 percent of African American women and roughly 70 percent of white women will develop fibroids by the age of 50. For many, these tumors bring not just discomfort, but debilitating symptoms: chronic pain, severe bleeding, fertility challenges, and, in extreme cases, life-threatening complications.

In a county where Black women make up a significant portion of the population, the burden is especially pronounced. Fibroids often grow larger, develop earlier, and present more severe symptoms in African American women—an intersection of biology, healthcare access, and longstanding disparities that cannot be ignored.

Against this backdrop, Blegay’s legislative package, introduced on April 28, represents more than policy—it signals a shift toward visibility, dignity, and proactive care.

At the heart of the initiative is a recognition that fibroids are not merely a medical issue, but a societal one. One bill, CB-36-2026, acknowledges the day-to-day realities women face by proposing workplace accommodations for those suffering severe symptoms. Flexible leave policies and expanded remote work options could offer relief to countless women who have historically had to choose between their health and their livelihood.

Another measure, CR-30-2026, reaches deeper into the community. It calls for a comprehensive education and outreach campaign in partnership with the Prince George’s County Health Department—one that would bring information out of exam rooms and into churches, community centers, and women’s groups. The goal is simple yet transformative: ensure that women recognize symptoms early, seek care sooner, and navigate treatment options with confidence rather than confusion.

A third resolution, CR-31-2026, looks beyond county lines, urging state and federal leaders to increase funding for fibroid research and improve insurance coverage. It is a reminder that while the impact is local, the solution must be systemic.

For Blegay, this effort is deeply personal. She has spoken candidly about her own battle with fibroids—tumors that once grew to the size of a five-month pregnancy, placing her life at risk and nearly forcing her into surgery. Her story echoes the experiences of countless women who endure years of symptoms before receiving a diagnosis, often navigating a fragmented healthcare system along the way.

The potential impact of this legislation is profound. By promoting early detection and expanding access to care, health experts suggest that complications—from severe anemia to emergency surgeries—could be significantly reduced. While fibroids are rarely fatal, delayed treatment can lead to life-threatening conditions. Increasing awareness and intervention could, quite literally, save lives.

But beyond numbers, the legislation offers something less quantifiable and perhaps more powerful: reassurance. It tells women that their pain is real, their experiences matter, and their health is worthy of attention, investment, and action.

In Prince George’s County, where community strength is often measured in how well neighbors care for one another, this initiative stands as both a public health response and a human one. It invites a future where women no longer suffer in silence, where knowledge replaces fear, and where access to care is not a privilege, but a promise.