Halle Berry, jury member of the 78th Cannes Film Festival, arrives on stage during the closing ceremony of the 78th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 24, 2025. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
(Los Angeles, CA) — Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry and California Governor Gavin Newsom are doing battle over over menopause. Yes, you read that right. Berry has been a fierce advocate for women navigating midlife health issues, especially after dealing with a doctor’s misdiagnosis that led to a lot of unfounded worry. She says that interaction with the healthcare system pushed her to start a public campaign that helps women deal with menopause and demands better medical care for the physical, emotional, and economic challenges it can present.
So, the reason Berry is so upset with Governor Newsom is because for two years in a row he has vetoed a bipartisan bill that would require comprehensive health insurance coverage for menopause-related treatments. Berry spoke out this week during an event in New York, “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,” she said. The 59-year-old says the California Democrat is devaluing women, especially those in midlife. Berry says that is reason enough for her to never vote for Newsom again. He is reportedly planning on running for President in 2028.
Newsom’s office responded that the governor supports the goal but vetoed the bill due to concerns it would unintentionally raise healthcare costs for millions of working women.
Berry says she is tired of women in midlife being “devalued” and pressured to “stay forever 35”.
