Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey approved a new law on Monday, authorizing physicians to have the final decision regarding late-term abortions. This legislation positions Massachusetts as the tenth state to permit abortions at any stage of pregnancy.
The Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act alters the existing legal framework for abortions past 24 weeks of gestation. Previously, the law allowed such procedures only under certain conditions, like the necessity to preserve the patient’s life or health, or in cases of lethal fetal anomalies. The updated law eliminates these specific criteria, stating that it is permitted “based on the professional judgment of the physician.”
Governor Healey, a Democrat, emphasized the necessity of this change. “I’ve heard stories from women and families who anticipated welcoming a healthy baby, only to confront devastating news later in the pregnancy. Previously, they faced the burden of traveling long distances and covering expenses out of pocket, all while dealing with profound grief,” Healey remarked in a statement. She further added, “This should never occur in Massachusetts. Our law aims to uphold the strongest abortion protections, ensuring that health care decisions remain between women and their doctors.”
This legislative move aligns Massachusetts with nine other states and Washington, D.C., which have no gestational limits on abortion, as recorded by the nonprofit health policy research organization, KFF. The states sharing this policy include Alaska, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, and Vermont.
This story is developing, with updates expected to follow.