Massachusetts is close to giving doctors the final word on whether to perform late abortions
Summary
Massachusetts is close to passing a law that lets doctors have the final say on whether a late abortion can be performed, removing a list of specific reasons currently required. The state Senate approved the measure, and it now goes to Governor Maura Healey, who supports abortion rights.Key Facts
- Current Massachusetts law allows abortion up to 24 weeks of pregnancy and later only for certain medical reasons.
- The proposed law would allow late abortions based solely on a doctor’s professional judgment.
- Supporters say the change is needed because some hospitals have refused to perform late abortions even when the fetus is not viable.
- Opponents worry the law could permit abortions until birth, including in cases of healthy fetuses.
- Governor Maura Healey has signed other laws that strengthen abortion access in Massachusetts.
- The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling overturned Roe v. Wade, leading many states to restrict or ban abortions.
- Massachusetts has a shield law protecting doctors who provide abortion services via telehealth to patients in states where abortion is banned.
- Other states are making different changes, such as Colorado requiring student health centers to provide abortion pills and Oklahoma criminalizing certain abortion pill sales.
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