What Happened

Massachusetts removed its previous statutory restrictions on abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy after Gov. Maura Healey (D-MA) signed H.5595, "An Act Prioritizing Patient Access to Care," on Aug. 10. [](#ngr-c6a597b5-ae82-450f-b8f9-53d0ff9a2721)

The law, Chapter 188 of the Acts of 2026, replaces the state's previous list of circumstances under which a physician could perform an abortion after 24 weeks with a standard allowing an abortion to be performed based on the professional judgment of the physician.

Why It Matters To Me

Under the previous law, abortions after 24 weeks were permitted when a physician determined the procedure was necessary to preserve the patient's life, physical health or mental health; because of a lethal fetal anomaly or diagnosis; or because of a grave fetal diagnosis indicating that the fetus was incompatible with sustained life outside the uterus without extraordinary medical intervention.

Physicians and reproductive-rights advocates supporting the legislation argued that those statutory restrictions could prevent patients experiencing serious pregnancy complications from receiving appropriate care in Massachusetts.

The law now provides that a physician may perform an abortion based on the physician's professional judgment. It also states that no medical review process may override the professional judgment of a treating physician and a patient or the patient's health care proxy when providing an abortion consistent with state law.

The measure originated as H.2370, introduced by Reps. Christine Barber (D-MA) and Lindsay Sabadosa (D-MA), before the House Ways and Means Committee recommended a new draft designated H.5595. The House passed H.5595 to be engrossed July 22 by a vote of 119-33. The Senate passed the measure to be engrossed July 31. The House then enacted it 121-35, and the Senate enacted the measure and sent it to Healey.

Both Sides, Now

Reproductive Equity Now supported the legislation, arguing that Massachusetts' previous restrictions forced some patients seeking abortion care after 24 weeks to travel outside the state. Legislative leaders cited the organization's estimate that dozens of Massachusetts patients each year had to leave the state for such care.

Opponents argued that replacing the enumerated medical exceptions with a physician's professional judgment removed important statutory restrictions on abortions later in pregnancy. The Massachusetts Catholic bishops opposed the legislation, calling the elimination of the previous restrictions a "radical measure" and "gravely immoral."

After Healey signed the legislation, CatholicVote President Kelsey Reinhardt called on Massachusetts Catholic bishops to consider whether Healey should face excommunication over her role in signing the law. Healey's office subsequently described the governor as a "proud Catholic."

At the Aug. 10 signing ceremony, Healey said the legislation was intended to allow patients facing serious pregnancy complications to receive care from physicians they know and trust in Massachusetts.

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This article was generated by AI pulling from data. Each article is edited by an editor for accuracy and clarity.

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