Halle Berry called out California Governor Gavin Newsom at the New York Times’ DealBook conference over his repeated veto of the Menopause Care Equity Act.
On Dec 3, the Oscar-winning actress, who has championed the Menopause Care Equity Act, shared that Newsome “probably should not be our next president” because he twice vetoed a state bill expanding health insurance for menopause treatments.
According to an official press release, menopausal women are often left to “tough it out” without adequate medical guidance or treatment.
“This legislation closes the care gap, ensuring that menopause is treated as the critical health issue it is—not as an afterthought. We deserve comprehensive coverage and informed medical care, just like any other stage of life,” said Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan.
As Deadline reports, Berry, 58, highlighted the lack of attention given to women’s health and aging. “Back in my great state of California, my very own governor, Gavin Newsom, has vetoed our menopause bill, not one but two years in a row,” Berry said. “But that’s okay, because he’s not going to be governor forever.”
“And with the way he’s overlooked women, half the population, by devaluing us in midlife, he probably should not be our next president either,” the actress continued.
She described the fear of losing her femininity as her symptoms appeared while beginning a relationship with Van Hunt, admitting, “I was really afraid at that time that I would never enjoy that part of my femininity again and that I had lost that.”
“The governor has deep admiration for Ms. Berry’s advocacy”
Izzy Gardon, a spokesperson for Newsom, told the New York Post of Berry’s comments, “The governor has deep admiration for Ms. Berry’s advocacy and looks forward to working with her and other stakeholders on this critical issue. He shares her goal of expanding access to menopause care that too many women struggle to get.”
“He vetoed the bill because, as written, it would have unintentionally raised health care costs for millions of working women already stretched thin — something he’s determined to avoid,” the spokesperson added.
“We’re confident that by working together this year, we can expand access to essential menopause treatment while protecting women from higher bills,” Gardon continued.