Massachusetts abortion law repeal effort

Pro-life advocates in Massachusetts, led by the Compassionate Care Coalition, have collected nearly 100,000 certified signatures to place a referendum on the 2028 ballot. This effort, known as Repeal188, seeks to overturn “An Act Prioritizing Patient Access to Care,” a law signed by Governor Maura Healey that removed previous restrictions on late-term abortions by shifting decisions to the “professional judgment of the physician.”

The signature count significantly exceeds the 49,716 required to suspend the law via a ballot initiative. While the Compassionate Care Coalition awaits final certification from the Secretary of State, the law is scheduled to take effect on November 8. Governor Healey may choose to attach an emergency preamble to the legislation to prevent its suspension, a tactic previously used to uphold a 2024 gun control law.

The repeal movement has received support from various organizations and Catholic leadership, including Archbishop Richard G. Henning of Boston. Nationally, leaders within the anti-abortion movement have expressed concerns that the focus on this issue could impact Republican electoral prospects.