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Halle Berry criticized California Gov. Gavin Newsom over his veto of menopause-care legislation, saying the decision should count against his possible presidential ambitions. Speaking at the New York Times DealBook Summit in New York City on December 3, 2025, Berry described his actions as “devaluing” women in midlife. That was her political judgment; Newsom’s spokesperson said the vetoed bill, as written, could raise health care costs while the governor supported expanding access to menopause treatment.
What Halle Berry said about Gavin Newsom
Berry, an actor and menopause-care advocate, spoke at the DealBook Summit before Newsom’s scheduled appearance. ABC News quoted her saying: “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. But that’s OK, because he’s not going to be governor forever.”
She then connected the vetoes to Newsom’s possible national political future: “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, just saying.” The word “devaluing” reflects Berry’s assessment of the vetoes, not an established finding about Newsom’s motive.
Which menopause bill did Newsom veto?
News reports identify the 2025 measure as California Assembly Bill 432, or AB 432. According to the Los Angeles Times’ reporting, it sought to expand insurance coverage for menopause-related care and provide incentives for doctors who completed continuing medical education in perimenopause, menopause and postmenopausal care. Newsom vetoed it in October 2025.
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Coverage described the veto as the second year in a row: Newsom had also vetoed similar legislation, AB 2467, in 2024. The bill descriptions and sequence here are based on news reporting; they do not establish the full legal effect of either bill.
What Newsom’s office said
A Newsom spokesperson said the governor admired Berry’s advocacy and wanted to work with her and other stakeholders. The spokesperson’s response to ABC News said AB 432, “as written,” could unintentionally increase health care costs for working women and families. The spokesperson also said: “We’re confident that by working together this year, we can expand access to essential menopause treatment while protecting women from higher bills.”
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That was the administration’s stated rationale and position on access—not an independently verified estimate of the bill’s effects. The exchange therefore centered on both the importance of improving menopause care and whether this bill’s approach could do so without raising costs.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why the dispute became political
Berry framed the vetoes as evidence that Newsom had overlooked women’s health in midlife, and argued that this record should matter if he sought the presidency. Newsom’s spokesperson, by contrast, emphasized the administration’s stated concern about costs and its willingness to pursue expanded access. The remarks and response capture a political disagreement over a specific policy decision; they do not, by themselves, settle the bill’s likely costs or the broader state of menopause care.
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ABC News and the Los Angeles Times published follow-up coverage on December 4, 2025. The event and immediate response establish what Berry said and how the governor’s office answered, but do not establish whether subsequent policy proposals or changes resolved the dispute.
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