State Approves Law Allowing Abortions Until Late Stages of Pregnancy

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed legislation that changes the state’s abortion restrictions and gives health care professionals greater discretion to perform the procedure later in pregnancy when medical circumstances warrant it.

The measure, known as the Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act, eliminates the general 24-week gestational limit previously in place and expands legal protections for doctors and other health care workers.

What Changes Under the New Massachusetts Abortion Law?

A blue state just legalized abortion up until birth.

Surrounded by applauding women, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed a sweeping abortion bill Monday that removes the state’s gestational age limit, giving health care providers greater discretion to perform abortions later… pic.twitter.com/ZtDIgWwVMC

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 11, 2026

According to information released about the legislation, medical professionals will have greater authority to determine when an abortion later in pregnancy is medically appropriate, including cases involving serious complications for the patient or fatal fetal diagnoses.

The legislation will take effect 90 days after being enacted.

Healey defended the measure, arguing that decisions about medical care should remain between patients, their families, and their doctors.

“We believe health care decisions should be made between women, families, and their doctors, not politicians,” the governor said during the signing ceremony.

Healey Promises to Maintain Abortion Access

The Democratic governor said that as long as she remains in office, she will work to keep abortion legal and accessible in Massachusetts.

Healey also presented the new legislation as a safeguard against potential federal efforts to restrict abortion after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

“It is up to the states to lead,” Healey said.

The governor added that regardless of decisions by President Donald Trump, Republicans in Congress, or the Supreme Court, Massachusetts will seek to preserve access to these health care services.

Anti-Abortion Groups Reject the Measure

The legislation drew strong criticism from anti-abortion organizations.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, called the new law “atrocious” and called on Congress to establish federal protections for fetuses.

The organization argues that leaving abortion regulation exclusively to the states allows jurisdictions such as Massachusetts to adopt much more permissive laws regarding abortions performed later in pregnancy.

The approval once again puts Massachusetts at the center of the national debate over reproductive rights, at a time when abortion policies vary significantly from state to state.