# Massachusetts expands late-term abortion access > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/massachusetts-lateterm-abortion-legislation > Updated: 2026-08-10T18:03:13.000Z. Sources: 33. Developments: 3. In late July 2026, the Massachusetts House of Representatives approved a bill (H.5595, later called the Prioritizing Patients' Access to Care Act) that would eliminate the state’s 24-week gestational limit on abortions. The measure replaces the existing list of specific medical exceptions with language allowing a physician to perform a late-term abortion based on professional judgment. Supporters argued the change would ease access for women facing serious medical complications, while opponents warned it could permit abortions up to birth. Following Senate approval, Governor Maura Healey signed the legislation into law in August 2026. The new law allows physicians to perform abortions at any stage of pregnancy based on their professional medical judgment, replacing the previous framework that limited procedures after 24 weeks to specific life-threatening circumstances for the patient or the fetus. Beyond expanding access, the law removes certain reporting and facility requirements that medical professionals argued created barriers to care. Specifically, the act removes mandates that late-term abortions be performed only in hospitals, which allows for more clinic-based care. Governor Healey stated the law aims to ensure patients can receive necessary care without “unnecessary legal uncertainty or the need to travel out of state.” The new regulations are expected to take effect in 90 days. With this change, Massachusetts joins a group of 10 U.S. jurisdictions, including Colorado and New Mexico, that have eliminated statutory gestational age limits. The law has drawn sharp criticism from opponents; the Catholic bishops of Massachusetts described the removal of legal restraints as “gravely immoral,” while Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, characterized the measure as “radical.” ## Claims - Governor Maura Healey signed legislation removing gestational age restrictions on abortions in Massachusetts. (disputed by 19 sources) - Governor Maura Healey has signed other abortion‑rights laws and is expected to sign this bill. (disputed) - The new law allows physicians to perform abortions based on their professional medical judgment. (corroborated by 19 sources) - The new law will take effect in 90 days. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, criticized the law. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The law removes certain reporting and facility requirements for medical professionals. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Massachusetts House passed the Prioritizing Patients' Access to Care Act on a vote of 119‑33. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Massachusetts Senate adopted the measure and sent it to Governor Maura Healey for signature. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The bill would make Massachusetts one of the least restrictive states for late‑term abortions in the nation. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Opponents argue the bill could allow abortions until birth, including on healthy fetuses. (single source) - The legislation mirrors Maine’s 2023 law that also permits late‑term abortions based on physician judgment. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-10: Massachusetts Governor signs law removing abortion gestational limits Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed the ‘Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act’, removing gestational limits on abortions and allowing physicians to make decisions based on professional medical判断. 25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/massachusetts-governor-signs-law-removing-abortion-gestational-limits ### 2026-07-31: Massachusetts moves to expand late‑term abortion access Massachusetts passed a fast‑track bill allowing abortions after 24 weeks based on physician judgment, removing specific exceptions; Governor Maura Healey is set to sign, making the state among the least‑restric 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/massachusetts-moves-to-expand-lateterm-abortion-access ### 2026-07-24: Massachusetts House Passes Bill to Remove 24‑Week Abortion Limit Massachusetts House voted 119‑33 to pass H.5595, removing the 24‑week abortion limit and allowing physicians to perform abortions up to birth; the bill now heads to the Senate. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/massachusetts-house-passes-bill-removing-24week-abortion-limit-escalating-gestationalcap-debate --- Cite as: Massachusetts expands late-term abortion access. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/massachusetts-lateterm-abortion-legislation