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Massachusetts Governor signs law removing abortion gestational limits
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has signed the Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act into law, removing previous gestational age restrictions on abortion. Previously, the state restricted abortions after 24 weeks to specific circumstances, such as preserving the life or health of the patient or addressing severe fetal anomalies.
The new legislation replaces that four-pronged framework with a single standard: an abortion may be performed based on the professional judgment of a physician. This change makes Massachusetts one of ten U.S. states and the District of Columbia to have no statutory gestational limit on the procedure. The law also eliminates the requirement that late-term abortions be performed in a hospital setting, allowing licensed physicians to provide care in other eligible health care centers.
The law is scheduled to take effect in 90 days. The decision has drawn significant reaction; supporters argue it ensures patients can receive necessary care within the state, while critics, including the Catholic bishops of Massachusetts and various pro-life organizations, have condemned the measure as extreme and immoral.
Entities
Catholic bishops of Massachusetts · Christine Barber · Guttmacher Institute · Marjorie Dannenfelser · Massachusetts · Maura Healey · SBA Pro-Life America · Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 21 SOURCES] The new law allows physicians to perform abortions based on their professional medical judgment. newbedfordlight.org · whdh.com · www.washingtonexaminer.com · www.merkur.de · www.boston.com · +15 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The new law will take effect in 90 days. newbedfordlight.org · www.berkshireeagle.com · www.friatider.se · themostimportantnews.com · nemosnewsnetwork.com · +1 more
- [● 18 SOURCES] The legislation eliminates the previous four-pronged framework that restricted abortions after 24 weeks to life-threatening situations. newbedfordlight.org · www.washingtonexaminer.com · www.boston.com · www.berkshireeagle.com · jessica.substack.com · +13 more
- [DISPUTED] Governor Maura Healey signed legislation removing gestational age restrictions on abortions in Massachusetts. newbedfordlight.org · whdh.com · www.washingtonexaminer.com · www.merkur.de · www.boston.com · +17 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, criticized the law. www.washingtonexaminer.com · www.breitbart.com · www.friatider.se · heartlandernews.com · www.sabanetasr.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The law removes certain reporting and facility requirements for medical professionals. whdh.com · www.document.no · jessica.substack.com · thegoodnewsroom.org · catholiccourier.com