Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, a Democrat, has signed comprehensive legislation eliminating gestational age restrictions on abortion in the state, permitting the procedure up until the moment of birth.
With the signing, Massachusetts joins nine other US jurisdictions—Alaska, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and the District of Columbia—that have removed time-based limitations on the procedure.
The new law, titled the Patient Access to Care Act, takes effect in 90 days and replaces previous state policy that prohibited abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy except in limited circumstances. Under the updated provisions, medical teams receive broad discretion to determine the necessity of late-term procedures without facing criminal penalties.
At the signing ceremony, Healey explained the measure aims to ensure families facing severe medical complications or fatal diagnoses in advanced pregnancy stages can receive care within state borders. The governor emphasized her commitment to maintaining access and stated that such medical decisions must remain solely between families and their physicians.
"We believe that healthcare decisions should be made between women and families and their doctors, not politicians. Abortions will remain safe (...), they will remain legal, and they will remain accessible here in Massachusetts. That is my commitment to you," Healey declared during the event.
The governor framed the move as protection against efforts by President Donald Trump and the Republican Party to restrict rights at the national level. Healey added: "The bottom line for Massachusetts residents, if you care about women's health, if you care about ensuring women can access the healthcare they need in consultation with their doctors, should be clear. I stand with women. My opponents do not."
She further emphasized the role of states in leading policy: "It's up to states to lead. And as governor, I promise that no matter what Donald Trump or Republicans in Congress or the Supreme Court do, we will continue to ensure women and families get access to the healthcare they need, right here in Massachusetts."
The law's signing, however, sparked significant outrage among conservative organizations. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, sharply criticized the move and called on the Republican Party to advance federal legislation preventing such procedures.
"It should shock the conscience that tens of thousands of unborn Americans are barbarically killed each year. Sadly, that number will only grow with Governor Healey's approval of abortion-until-birth law. The Republican Party must abandon the 'leave it to the states' position, a stance that enables outrageous late-term abortion laws like these, and advance national protections for unborn children," Dannenfelser said.
Dannenfelser added that the current legal landscape places the United States alongside only a handful of nations worldwide: "Without a minimum national standard, the United States remains 1 of only 8 countries worldwide allowing abortion at any stage of pregnancy. We must do everything in our power to turn the page on this ugly chapter of late-term abortions in America." According to the organization's data, the other countries permitting abortion at any stage are Australia, Canada, China, Guinea-Bissau, Mexico, South Korea, and Vietnam.
