Halle Berry Criticizes Governor Gavin Newsom Over Menopause Care

Oscar-winning actress **Halle Berry** delivered a powerful speech at the **New York Times DealBook Summit** on December 3, publicly criticizing California Governor **Gavin Newsom** for vetoing the state’s menopausal care bill.

Criticism

Berry wasn’t shy about expressing her disappointment with Governor Newsom, particularly the way he “ignored women, half the population, by devaluing us in middle age.” She warned that this could impact his larger political ambitions:

> “He won’t be governor forever. And the way he’s dismissed women, half the population, by devaluing us in middle age, he probably shouldn’t be our next president.”

At the core of Berry’s criticism is Governor Newsom’s veto of Assembly Bill 432 (AB 432), also known as the Menopause Care Equity Act, which would have expanded insurance coverage for menopause-related treatment and care, for **two years in a row**.

Perspectives on Midlife Women’s Health Care

In her speech, Berry shared her personal struggles with perimenopause after a misdiagnosis that inspired her to found **Respin**, a healthcare company that offers menopausal symptom care programs.

The actress posed a pointed question to make it clear that this is a neglected health crisis:

> “Honestly, let me ask you this. Can you imagine if men had a health condition that disrupted their sleep, their brain function, and their sex life? We would call that a health crisis on par with COVID, and the whole world would shut down until they figured it out. And you know that’s true.”

She also praised the state of **Illinois** for becoming the first state to require insurance to cover hormone replacement therapy.

Response from Governor Newsom’s Office

A spokesperson for Gavin Newsom sent a statement to *People* magazine following Berry’s comments, expressing admiration for the actress’s advocacy and sharing a common goal of expanding access to menopause care.

The Governor’s Office explained the reason for vetoing the bill was that it could **”inadvertently increase health care costs for millions of working women who are already financially strapped.”**

The statement concluded with the confidence that: “by working together this year, we can expand access to essential menopause treatments while protecting women from higher bills.”

Whether Governor Newsom can regain Halle Berry’s support before he considers running for president after the 2026 midterm elections remains an open question.