Massachusetts Expands Abortion Access with New Legislation

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has enacted a law granting doctors ultimate authority over late-pregnancy abortion decisions. Massachusetts now joins nine other states in allowing the procedure at any stage of pregnancy.

The New Legislation

The Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act eliminates the state’s previous abortion framework for pregnancies beyond 24 weeks. Before this change, abortions after this period were restricted to specific cases. These included the necessity to preserve a patient’s life or health, or in scenarios involving lethal fetal anomalies. The revised law empowers physicians to make decisions based solely on their professional judgment.

“I’ve heard heartbreaking stories from women and families who were preparing to welcome a healthy baby into their family, only to receive devastating news later in their pregnancy. Instead of being able to rely on the doctors they knew and trusted at home, they were forced to travel hundreds of miles and pay out of their pockets while navigating unimaginable grief,” Healey, a Democrat, remarked in a statement.

Governor Healey emphasized that healthcare decisions should rest between women and their doctors, reflecting the state’s strong commitment to abortion rights.

National Context

This law positions Massachusetts among ten states that place no gestational limits on abortion. These states include Alaska, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, and Vermont, along with Washington, D.C., as noted by the KFF, a health policy research organization.

Massachusetts continues to strengthen its stance on protecting abortion rights, ensuring that decisions remain between patients and healthcare professionals.