Halle Berry has pulled no punches in her latest criticism of California Governor Gavin Newsom, accusing him of making empty promises regarding their public disagreement over menopause healthcare.
The Oscar winner revealed to The cut that despite Newsom previously claiming that the two were “reconciling” their differences, she has never actually heard from him.
The tension stems from the Governor’s lack of support for the Menopause Care Equity Act, a bill Berry has been championing to help women overcome the health challenges of midlife.
Berry expressed deep frustration at what he sees as a lack of follow-through, saying, “It’s disturbing when people say they’re going to do things and then don’t do them.”
He went even further and suggested that Newsom’s potential political aspirations could be at risk if he continues to ignore the needs of women.
“But you heard what I said. If he’s going to run to be our next president, he can’t sleep with women. Wake up, Gavin,” he added.
The dispute became public last December when Berry spoke at the New York Times’ DealBook Summit, arguing that Newsom’s decision to bypass menopause care effectively devalues half the population.
She noted that if men experienced similar symptoms, such as sleep disorders and impaired brain function, “[we’d] “We would call that a health crisis on par with Covid, and the whole world would shut down.”
Berry highlighted the economic impact of the problem, noting that one in six women are forced to leave the labor market due to menopause symptoms, ultimately affecting all households and the broader economy.
The legislation in question would have required insurance companies to cover necessary treatments and required doctors to receive continuing education about menopause.
While Newsom said TMZ that they were “reconciling this” after Berry’s comments went viral, Berry insists there has been no contact.
In response to his recent comments, a spokesperson for Newsom called Berry’s comments “very unfortunate.”
The Governor’s office previously defended his veto by explaining that the bill, as originally written, would have accidentally increased health care costs for working families.
However, her team maintains that Newsom has now unveiled a proposal to support menopause care through the state budget, which they say aligns with his previous promises to address the issue.
Berry remains firm in her stance and calls on both men and women to join the fight for better healthcare.
She stressed that the fight is not just for women, and urged leaders to stay curious and care about the topic even when it feels “unknown and uncomfortable.”
