Halle Berry raised her voice for women’s health at the New York Times’ DealBook Summit on Wednesday, targeting California Governor Gavin Newsom for his veto of a bill aimed at expanding hormone therapy coverage. Her comments, delivered on a major platform, thrust the ongoing debate over hormone replacement therapy and access into the spotlight, reaffirming Halle Berry hormone therapy advocacy and stirring reaction among leading business executives and policymakers in attendance.
Berry Expresses Concern over Policy Decisions Affecting Women
Berry spoke passionately about her advocacy efforts through her women’s health and menopause initiative, Respin. She acknowledged that several states have taken steps toward improving access to hormone replacement therapy, describing such policies as beneficial for both menopausal women and transgender youth. In contrast, she criticized Governor Newsom for repeatedly vetoing legislation that would have ensured yearlong hormone therapy coverage in California, arguing these decisions undermine half the population—women—by neglecting their needs in midlife.
Berry did not hold back her frustration, highlighting that Newsom has blocked such bills on multiple occasions. As she addressed the summit, Berry’s pointed criticism was unmistakable:
He’s not gonna be governor forever,
Halle Berry, Actress.
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.
Halle Berry, Actress.
Governor Newsom’s Response and Previous Actions
In response to Berry’s remarks, a spokesperson for Governor Newsom referred back to his official statement on bill AB 432. Newsom, a key player at the summit, noted in October that AB 432 was
a bill that does not strike the important, and achievable, balance between expanding access to this essential treatment and the affordability of care.
Gavin Newsom, Governor of California. This marked the governor’s second veto of similar hormone therapy access legislation.
Newsom himself did not directly address Berry’s comments during his onstage appearance at the DealBook Summit, which included other featured guests such as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, YouTube creator MrBeast, and Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk.
Reactions from the Business Community and Calls to Action
Berry’s criticism landed just hours before Newsom’s scheduled speech, eliciting a strong reaction in the summit’s audience of business leaders and corporate representatives. Her directness caught many off guard, prompting audible responses from those seated in the packed room. Underscoring her commitment to advocacy, Berry added “Just saying,” to reaffirm her point.
The actress argued that Newsom’s inaction leaves women, particularly those experiencing menopause, to advocate for essential healthcare on their own. She appealed to the assembled leaders, stating:
We need all of the leaders,
Halle Berry, Actress.
Every single one of you in this room, this fight needs you. We need you to stay curious. We need you to ask questions. We need you to care even when the topic feels unfamiliar and uncomfortable. We need you to have the conversation anyway, because when women are struggling silently with pre-menopause and menopause, trying to hold their families, careers, relationships and communities together, it doesn’t just affect women. It affects every household.
Halle Berry, Actress.
The Ongoing Debate over Hormone Therapy Access
Halle Berry’s speech at the DealBook Summit signals mounting frustration among advocates over perceived political shortcomings in addressing hormone replacement therapy for both menopausal women and transgender youth. By calling on business executives, political leaders, and policymakers such as Gavin Newsom to take concerted action, Berry aims to keep women’s health—and specifically, the importance of expanded hormone therapy coverage—at the forefront of public discussion.
Her remarks, delivered on a high-profile stage in front of influential audience members, underscore the urgency for legislative progress and a more inclusive approach to women’s healthcare needs going forward.
