Gavin Newsom Caves on ‘Critical’ Women’s Health Measure After Halle Berry Humiliated Him at Star-Studded Event
California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing renewed scrutiny — and accusations of political backpedaling — after actress Halle Berry publicly blasted him over his repeated vetoes of a women’s health bill, prompting what many are calling a dramatic reversal. The fiery confrontation unfolded live onstage at The New York Times’ DealBook Summit, where Berry delivered a blistering speech accusing Newsom of “devaluing” women by twice rejecting the Menopause Care Equity Act (AB 432).
Berry, 59, told the crowd she was “fed up” with women being dismissed in midlife and directly linked Newsom’s actions to broader systemic neglect. She declared that Newsom “shouldn’t be our next president” because of his failure to support menopausal and perimenopausal women — a remark that reportedly triggered audible gasps from the star-studded audience, especially because Newsom was scheduled to speak moments later. The forcefulness of Berry’s criticism, delivered while Newsom waited backstage, was widely viewed as a major public embarrassment for the governor.
The Menopause Care Equity Act aims to expand insurance coverage for menopause-related treatments, as well as require additional training for medical providers. Supporters argue it fills a massive gap in women’s health, as millions face inadequate care or dismissal of symptoms due to lack of medical education and coverage mandates.
Newsom had twice vetoed the bill, arguing it risked increasing health-care premiums for working families. But following Berry’s public rebuke, he appeared to soften his stance. In comments afterward, Newsom insisted Berry “didn’t know the whole story,” but acknowledged that his administration was “reconciling” with advocates and working toward a policy path forward. He revealed that key components of the menopause-care legislation have been incorporated into the proposed 2026–27 California state budget — a significant shift from his previous position.
To many observers, that move amounts to political retreat. Critics claim Newsom only reopened the conversation after being publicly humiliated by a high-profile figure who voiced concerns shared by millions of women. Berry’s remarks went viral almost immediately, with social-media users praising her for speaking up where politicians, in their view, have fallen short. On Reddit, users expressed frustration that the bill had been vetoed twice and argued that Berry’s comments reflected broader public sentiment, particularly among women who feel ignored by the political establishment.
Still, some analysts caution that what Newsom has offered so far is not a full endorsement but rather a budget-based alternative that may differ from the original bill’s scope. Skeptics warn that legislative language could still be diluted, and that women’s health advocates must scrutinize the final version to ensure meaningful access to menopause care. Others argue that while Berry successfully reignited public pressure, achieving tangible health-care reforms will require sustained political will, not merely star-powered criticism.
Nevertheless, the incident has thrust menopause and midlife women’s health into the national spotlight. What began as a tense onstage moment has escalated into a broader conversation about medical equity, political accountability, and the power of celebrity influence.
Whether Newsom “caved” or strategically recalibrated remains a matter of debate. What’s clear is that Halle Berry’s blunt, widely publicized challenge has forced the governor to confront an issue he had twice sidelined — and may ultimately reshape healthcare policy for millions of women.
