Halle Berry Criticizes Gov. Gavin Newsom for Vetoing Menopause Legislation
Halle Berry publicly condemned California Governor Gavin Newsom for vetoing menopause-related bills in consecutive years. Speaking at the DealBook Summit, Berry emphasized how women, especially those reaching midlife, are undervalued in society.
Berry highlighted Newsom’s decision to veto AB 432, a bill aimed at expanding menopause care and requiring healthcare providers to receive specialized training. Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan introduced the bill to mandate insurance coverage for menopause treatments, improving access and awareness. Despite growing support, Newsom vetoed this legislation twice, most recently in October.
The actress and entrepreneur, who founded the menopause care company Respin, shared her frustration over cultural attitudes that marginalize women around 59 years old. She explained, “Our culture thinks that at 59 years old, I am past my prime.” Berry added that women face pressure to maintain a youthful appearance as a measure of their worth, particularly in Hollywood and beyond.
Berry also expressed disappointment toward Newsom’s dismissive stance concerning women’s health needs. She told the audience, “My very own governor, Gavin Newsom, has vetoed our menopause bill, not one, but two years in a row.” She hinted at political consequences by suggesting he “probably should not be our next president either.”
Newsom, who is reportedly considering a 2028 presidential run, attended the same DealBook Summit event. His repeated vetoes of AB 432 raise questions about his commitment to gender-specific healthcare legislation and addressing women’s midlife health challenges.
Berry further discussed the societal pressure on women to undergo cosmetic procedures to appear younger. She admitted feeling this pressure daily to remain “relevant and desirable.” Her remarks underscored broader conversations about ageism and sexism in American culture.
Key Points of AB 432 Menopause Bill:
- Require healthcare plans to recommend menopause-related treatments
- Train healthcare providers on menopause care
- Improve access to and quality of menopause healthcare services
Berry’s critique brings renewed attention to menopause advocacy and how political decisions affect women’s health rights in California and potentially nationwide.
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