Halle Berry Confronts Gov. Gavin Newsom Over Menopause Legislation, Igniting a National Debate on Women’s Health and Political Leadership

At The New York Times DealBook Summit—a stage often reserved for CEOs, global leaders, and financial giants—Halle Berry delivered a message no one expected, and one that reverberated far beyond the auditorium in Manhattan.

The Academy Award-winning actor, known for her iconic film roles, arrived not to talk movies, fame, or Hollywood, but to issue a sharp and unmistakable rebuke to one of the most visible governors in America: Gavin Newsom.

And she did it only moments before Newsom himself would take the very same stage.

What unfolded was not merely a celebrity criticism or another political squabble. It exposed a growing fracture in the national conversation about women’s health—a subject that, despite affecting half the population, has long been relegated to the margins of public policy.

Berry’s words were blunt, unapologetic, and rooted in lived experience:

“At this stage in my life, I have zero fks left to give.**”

With that declaration, she set the tone for a 20-minute segment that ruptured traditional expectations of celebrity decorum and forced a high-profile politician into a spotlight he wasn’t expecting.

The Conflict: Two Vetoes, One Boiling Issue

Berry’s frustration stemmed not from a partisan divide, but from two specific decisions made by Gov. Newsom in consecutive years: his 2022 and 2023 vetoes of a California bill aimed at expanding menopause care.

The legislation would have:

Required insurers to provide clearer guidance on menopause treatment

Expanded training requirements for healthcare professionals

Addressed long-standing gaps in midlife women’s care

Ensured women received evidence-based, accessible treatment options

Supporters described it as overdue. Critics warned of cost increases. Newsom fell into the latter camp—twice.

“Back in my great state of California, my very own governor has vetoed our menopause bill—not one, but two years in a row,” Berry told the crowd.

Her follow-up line, however, hit harder:

“He’s not going to be governor forever… and the way he has overlooked women, he probably should not be our next president either. Just saying.”

The room reacted audibly.
Berry wasn’t speaking as a celebrity.
She was speaking as a woman standing in a room full of decision-makers insisting her experience—and the experience of millions—was not optional.

A Growing Voice in Women’s Health Advocacy

In recent years, Berry has shifted away from Hollywood publicity toward health activism. At 59, she has spoken openly about her own experiences navigating hormonal changes, advocating for a cultural shift in how menopause is understood and treated.

She is also the founder of Respin, a company dedicated to wellness, longevity, and midlife health—an area she says the healthcare system often fails to prioritize.

At DealBook, Berry described the frustration many women feel as they move through midlife:

“In 2025, there is still so much to uncover, to research, to understand. Women of my age are often devalued—in Hollywood, in the workplace, everywhere. We are treated as though we fade at 59.”

Her voice sharpened when she addressed societal expectations:

“Women are pressured to stay forever 35.”

The implication was clear: a society unwilling to acknowledge aging women is even less prepared to support their medical needs.

Stepping Into a Political Fault Line

Newsom, who has emerged as one of the highest-profile Democratic figures in the country, is widely considered a potential contender for the 2028 presidential race. His national profile has risen through debates, high-level media appearances, and cross-country political outreach.

But Berry’s critique struck at a vulnerability few analysts predicted would surface so publicly: women’s healthcare policy, particularly around menopause.

Millions of women move through menopause every year. Many face symptoms that dramatically affect quality of life. Yet medical training often devotes only minimal attention to the topic, and insurance coverage varies widely.

This bill, advocates argue, could have changed that—at least in California.

Newsom vetoed it both years, pointing to cost concerns.

Why Newsom Said No — Twice

Following Berry’s remarks, Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon issued a detailed explanation.

According to Gardon, the governor does not oppose improving menopause care.
He agrees it needs more attention.
But he vetoed the bill because:

It could increase insurance premiums

It might unintentionally raise healthcare costs for working women

It lacked cost controls for providers and insurers

It risked moving too fast without ensuring affordability

“The governor has deep admiration for Ms. Berry’s advocacy,” Gardon said. “But the bill, as written, would have raised healthcare costs for millions of women already stretched thin.”

Gardon also emphasized that Newsom wants to work with advocates—including Berry—on a revised bill that expands access without financial burdens.

Still, Berry’s critique wasn’t simply about legislative language. It was about symbolism. Impact. Priorities.

To her and her supporters, vetoes on menopause legislation—particularly in a state known for progressive healthcare initiatives—felt like a dismissive stance toward women’s health at large.

A National Conversation Sparked by a Hollywood Icon

Berry’s comments unleashed something rare: a mainstream conversation about menopause policy. What is usually a quiet, often stigmatized health issue became a headline topic overnight.

Healthcare analysts note that midlife women make up one of the largest demographic groups in the country—and one of the most economically influential. Yet their medical concerns often receive far less attention than reproductive or maternal health issues.

“It is astonishing how little policy infrastructure exists for menopause,” said one women’s health expert following the summit. “Halle Berry just used her platform to elevate an issue that has been overlooked for decades.”

Berry is not alone in pushing for reform, but her celebrity has accelerated the movement’s visibility.

Political Stakes: Could This Affect 2028?

Newsom has not declared a presidential run.
He hasn’t formed an exploratory committee.
He hasn’t announced anything officially.

But his actions—and reactions—have already been watched through the lens of future ambition.

Berry’s remarks, delivered on a major national stage just minutes before Newsom appeared, injected an unpredictable new factor into the conversation: How will women view his record on menopause care?

Political strategists caution that a single issue rarely defines a presidential campaign. But in a competitive primary landscape, issues of gender equity and healthcare access can resonate deeply.

Especially when raised by someone with Halle Berry’s reach.

What Happens Next?

Newsom’s administration insists it will revisit the legislation in 2024 with advocates at the table. Supporters hope that Berry’s criticism may accelerate momentum for a revised bill.

Meanwhile, women’s health organizations have seized the moment, calling for:

A national standard for menopause training

Insurance mandates for evidence-based treatments

Public education campaigns

Greater research funding

If California becomes the model, other states may follow.

If California hesitates, the pressure may only increase.

A Cultural Shift in Real Time

Perhaps the most striking part of Berry’s intervention was the emotional clarity behind it. She wasn’t merely disagreeing with a policy decision—she was calling attention to an entire population whose medical needs have been sidelined for generations.

Her message was unmistakable:

Women entering midlife are not invisible.
They are not optional.
They are not to be dismissed in silence or vetoed into obscurity.

By speaking so candidly—and at an event attended by political and economic elite—Berry forced a reconsideration of what menopause discussions can look like in public forums.

It wasn’t whispered.
It wasn’t minimized.
It wasn’t framed as a personal complaint.
It was framed as a national issue.

A Flashpoint With Long-Term Impact

Whether Berry’s remarks permanently shift Newsom’s political trajectory remains unknown. But one thing is certain:

The debate over menopause care is no longer in the shadows.

It is in statehouses.
It is in policy rooms.
It is on the national stage.
And it is being pushed forward by a coalition of women who refuse to remain silent.

At 59, Halle Berry is not merely challenging a governor. She is challenging a culture.

And her message—sharp, unapologetic, and unmistakably timely—has already sparked a conversation that politicians can no longer ignore.