[REVISION HISTORY]

Massachusetts expands late-term abortion access

Updated 8 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-27 09:33 UTC → 2026-08-28 01:46 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In August 2026, Governor Maura Healey signed the Prioritizing Patients' Access to Care Act into law, officially removing gestational age limits on abortions in Massachusetts. The legislation replaces the previous 24-week limit and specific medical exceptions with a standard allowing procedures to be performed based on the “judgment of the physician.” The law also eliminates mandates requiring late-term abortions to occur only in hospitals, permitting care in other licensed healthcare centers. With this change, Massachusetts became the 11th U.S. jurisdiction to eliminate statutory gestational limits. While the law allows for abortions at any stage of pregnancy, CDC data indicates that the vast majority of abortions in the United States occur early, with 92.8% occurring by the 13th week and only 1.1% taking place from the 21st week onward. The law has faced intense opposition. Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, described the decision as “shocking” and “horrendous.” The advocacy group CatholicVote has called for the excommunication of Governor Healey, labeling her an “accomplice” to the procurement of abortions. Additionally, some critics have argued that the legislation contradicts the spirit of the Massachusetts Constitution, which was authored by John Adams and emphasizes security and equitable law-making. The Archdiocese of Boston has also expressed opposition, advocating for the protection of life from conception.

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