CALIFORNIA — At The New York Times DealBook Summit on December 3, actress and women’s-health advocate Halle Berry publicly criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom, accusing him of “devaluing women” by vetoing a menopause-care bill two years in a row. 

“With the way he’s overlooked women — half the population, by devaluing us in midlife, he probably should not be our next president, either,” Berry said.

The bill, known as the Menopause Care Equity Act (AB 432), would have expanded insurance coverage for menopause-related treatments and required healthcare providers to receive training on menopause care.

Berry, 59 — who launched a menopause-focused wellness company, Respin Health, recounted her struggles during perimenopause.

“I couldn’t remember simple words. I would be embarrassed in conversations…I went to go pick up a pizza for my kids and I left it on top of the car and drove all the way home,” Berry said.

She added that her experience being misdiagnosed with herpes highlights a broader failure to treat menopause as a serious health issue.

Menopause can affect sleep, memory, mood, and overall health

Menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life marked by the end of menstrual cycles, typically occurring in the late 40s to early 50s. 

Beyond hot flashes and night sweats, menopause can affect sleep, memory, mood, bone density, heart health, and sexual function.

Prioritizing care, nutrition, exercise, and, when needed, hormone therapy can help women stay healthy and thrive through this transition.

Newsom responds

Newsom issued a response Thursday at Newark Airport, saying Berry “didn’t know” that his administration plans to include funding for the proposal in his upcoming 2026-27 budget.

“We have the ability to reconcile that, so we’re reconciling. I’ve included it in next year’s budget,” Newsom said. “She didn’t know that.”