Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey on Monday signed the Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act, removing the state’s gestational limit on abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy. The law now permits abortions at any point during pregnancy based solely on a physician’s professional judgment.
The legislation replaces the state’s previous framework, which allowed abortions after 24 weeks only under specific circumstances, including to preserve the patient’s life, physical or mental health, or in cases of lethal fetal anomalies. Under the new law, these conditions are no longer explicitly listed, leaving the decision entirely to the treating physician.
Healey, a Democrat, framed the bill as a necessary protection for families facing devastating medical diagnoses late in pregnancy. “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,” she said in a statement. “Instead of being forced to travel hundreds of miles and pay out of pocket while navigating unimaginable grief, they can now rely on the doctors they know and trust at home.”
The law takes effect in 90 days. Massachusetts now joins nine other states and Washington, D.C., which also permit abortions at any stage of pregnancy without gestational limits. Those states are Alaska, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, and Vermont.
Reactions to the Law
Supporters of the legislation, including Healey and Democratic lawmakers, emphasized the importance of patient autonomy and medical discretion. “We believe that health care decisions should be made between women and families and their doctors, not politicians,” Healey said during the signing ceremony. “Abortion will remain safe, legal, and accessible here in Massachusetts.”
Opponents, including Republican state officials and anti-abortion advocacy groups, criticized the law as overly permissive. Republican state Rep. Alyson Sullivan-Almeida called it a “sad day” for Massachusetts, arguing that it sets a precedent for abortions “up until the moment of birth for a healthy, viable baby.” The SBA Pro-Life America organization condemned the bill, stating it would lead to an increase in late-term abortions and describing the practice as “barbaric.”
Policy Context and Broader Implications
The new law reflects a broader trend among Democratic-led states to expand abortion access following the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, which had previously guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion nationwide. Massachusetts has positioned itself as a leader in abortion rights, with Healey pledging to maintain “the strongest abortion protections in the country.”
The bill passed the Democratic-controlled state House and Senate last month before Healey’s signature. Supporters argue that the law ensures equitable access to reproductive healthcare, particularly for low-income families and those in rural areas who may lack nearby medical facilities. Opponents counter that the removal of gestational limits removes critical safeguards and prioritizes abortion access over potential alternatives, such as perinatal palliative care for families facing fatal fetal diagnoses.