[LOS ANGELES, CA] – This morning, Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan joined Women’s health and menopause advocate, as well as Academy Award-winning actor, Halle Berry, renowned medical experts, and legislative leaders at a Los Angeles press conference urging Governor Newsom to sign AB 432, the Menopause Care Equity Act.
The event featured Dr. Pauline Maki, Professor and OB/GYN at the University of Illinois Chicago; Dr. Rajita Patil, OB-GYN and Director of UCLA's Comprehensive Menopause Program; Dr. Emily Jacobs, Professor of Neuroscience at UC Santa Barbara and Director of the Ann S. Bowers Women's Brain Health Initiative; and Senate Pro Tem-Elect and Legislative Women’s Caucus Vice Chair Monique Limón.
AB 432 addresses a critical healthcare gap affecting millions of California women. Currently, up to 70% of women seeking menopause care don't receive adequate treatment, while medical students receive less than an hour of menopause training, leaving doctors unprepared to properly treat half the population during one of their most significant health transitions.
“For too long, women in California have faced stigma, silence, and inadequate care when it comes to menopause,” said Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan. “AB 432 ensures that no woman has to choose between her health and her financial security, and that our doctors are equipped with the training they need to treat half the population with dignity and expertise. California must act now to ensure we don’t fall behind in providing women the care they deserve.”
Halle Berry, Women’s health and menopause advocate, and Academy Award-winning actor, said, “Menopause is not just a moment in time — it marks a major inflection point in a woman’s long-term health and is a critical window for preventative care. I found out I was in perimenopause at 54 – abruptly, with no warning from my doctors – and became one of the countless women who spend years misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all. We desperately need accurate medical information from our healthcare providers, including timely diagnosis and advance preparation so we can enter this time of life with our best foot forward. AB432, The Menopause Care Equity Act, is an urgent step in the right direction and paves the way to quality midlife healthcare for all women, while providing support and enrichment to the doctors who care for them. I urge Governor Newsom to sign the Menopause Care Equity Act the moment it reaches his desk.”
“California must act to mitigate the inequities that already exist in our health system when it comes to treating menopause,” said Senate Pro Tem-Elect Monique Limón. “AB 432 is about correcting those inequities and ensuring fairness, stability, and dignity for every woman, no matter her race, income, or ZIP code. California has the chance to set the tone and create a model for other states to follow.”
“By raising awareness and making sure workplaces have the right support, we can keep experienced women in the workforce by protecting their health and dignity, and closing the economic gap,” said Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus. “California women are a valuable part of our state’s economy, and they shouldn’t have to choose between their health and their livelihoods.”
AB 432 takes a two-pronged approach to closing the menopause care gap:
- Insurance Coverage: Ensures coverage for evidence-based menopause treatments, preventing women from choosing between their health and financial stability
- Medical Education: Provides up to 4 hours of double continuing education credit for physicians who complete menopause courses, incentivizing proper education while respecting medical professional autonomy
The legislation has garnered extraordinary bipartisan support, passing the Assembly floor 70-1 and the Senate 39-0, demonstrating that women's healthcare transcends partisan lines.
The coalition is calling on Governor Newsom to sign AB 432 and stand with California women by ensuring they receive comprehensive coverage and informed medical care during menopause, just like any other stage of life.
