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California Governor Gavin Newsom and actress Halle Berry recently clashed over women's health legislation after the governor twice vetoed a key menopause care bill.
Berry strongly criticized Newsom for overlooking women's health needs, arguing that the veto made him unfit for higher office.
The conflict centered on a California bill known as AB 432, the Menopause Care Equity Act.
The legislation aimed to expand insurance coverage for necessary menopausal treatments and required doctors who treat a significant percentage of women to receive continuing education on menopause care.
Halle Berry, who has become a powerful advocate for menopause awareness since launching her company, Re-Spin, delivered a scathing speech at a New York Times summit.
She called out Newsom for "overlooking women," who make up half the population, and said he "should not be our next president."
This criticism came after Newsom vetoed the bill for the second time, citing concerns that it would unintentionally raise healthcare costs for millions of working families.
Following Halle Berry's high-profile remarks, Newsom's office quickly moved to "reconcile" the conflict.
A representative for the governor stated that he deeply admires Berry's advocacy and shares her goal of expanding access to care.
When caught by a cameraman, Newsom clarified that his team had already placed a new menopause measure into the state budget for the following year.
He suggested Halle Berry was unaware of this plan when she gave her speech.
However, sources connected to the matter say that Berry's public pressure accelerated Newsom’s decision to announce the new measure sooner than his planned January reveal.
Many observers see Berry's outspoken advocacy as a successful move, forcing the governor to prioritize the issue and include comprehensive menopause care in his budget proposal.
