Massachusetts Gov. Healey Signs Law Removing 24-Week Abortion Restriction

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat, signed legislation known as the "Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act" (H.5595) that removes the state's previous restriction limiting abortions after 24 weeks of gestation to cases involving a life-threatening risk to the patient or fetus. The bill passed the state House on July 22 by a vote of 119-33, with nine Democrats joining all Republicans in opposition, and later passed the state Senate 15-4. Healey signed the bill in mid-August 2026, with reports of the signing date varying between August 10 and August 11. Under the new law, the decision to perform an abortion after 24 weeks shifts from meeting specific medical criteria to relying on the judgment of the treating physician. Supporters, including Healey, said the change allows patients facing pregnancy complications to receive care within Massachusetts rather than traveling out of state, and Healey stated that healthcare decisions should be made by patients and doctors rather than politicians. Some reports note that Democratic legislative leaders advanced the bill through an expedited process that bypassed the full committee review before the legislative session ended. Healey also remarked that abortion would be an issue on the Massachusetts ballot in the upcoming November election, referencing the broader political context following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The law is set to take effect 90 days after signing, according to Healey's office. The legislation has drawn a mixed reaction, with conservative and anti-abortion groups criticizing it as permitting abortion up to the point of birth, while the governor's office and other supporters describe it as strengthening protections for patients facing difficult medical circumstances. The exact signing date remains inconsistently reported across sources, and details of the internal Democratic disagreement, including specific reasons given by the nine dissenting House Democrats, were not elaborated upon in available reporting.