Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed a law allowing abortions after 24 weeks when a physician deems them medically necessary, replacing a narrower exception-based rule. The change aims to help patients facing devastating fetal diagnoses, serious pregnancy complications or other complex late-pregnancy conditions obtain care in-state. At the signing, a couple described traveling to Maryland after a fetal stroke at 33 weeks because prior policy offered no exception. The law emphasizes physician judgment and reducing burdens on families who need time-sensitive care.
Massachusetts Expands Abortion Access After 24 Weeks, Allowing Doctors Greater Medical Judgment
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey (D) on Monday signed a bill that broadens abortion access in the state by allowing procedures after 24 weeks when a physician determines they are medically necessary.
Previously, the state limited abortions after 24 weeks to a narrow set of exceptions. The new law shifts that standard so that abortions after the 24-week mark may be provided "based upon the professional judgment of the physician," giving clinicians broader authority to respond to complex, late-pregnancy medical situations.
Why the Change Matters
The legislation is intended to ensure that people with devastating fetal diagnoses, serious pregnancy complications or other complex medical circumstances can obtain care in Massachusetts rather than being forced to travel out of state. Officials said the law aims to reduce the financial, logistical and emotional burdens families face when seeking care late in pregnancy.
Personal Story Underscores Impact
At the bill-signing event, Kate Dineen and her husband, Alex Lawton, described being forced to travel to Maryland after their fetus suffered a "catastrophic stroke" in utero at 33 weeks. The couple said the diagnosis meant the fetus would either die or survive with a range of devastating outcomes, but that the prior state policy did not provide an exception for their situation.
“I've heard heartbreaking stories from women and families who were preparing to welcome a healthy baby into their family, only to receive devastating news later in their pregnancy,” Healey said. “Instead of being able to rely on the doctors they knew and trusted at home, they were forced to travel hundreds of miles and pay out of pocket while navigating unimaginable grief. That should never happen in Massachusetts.”
The governor's office framed the law as part of the state's broader effort to maintain strong abortion protections and to ensure that health-care decisions are made between patients and their doctors.
What Remains Unchanged
The law does not mandate specific medical procedures; rather, it clarifies that licensed physicians may use their professional judgment to determine when a late-term abortion is medically appropriate. Implementation details and guidance for providers will be issued by state health officials as needed.
Reporting Note: The law responds to documented cases where existing rules left families with few options in late-term medical emergencies. It is intended to reduce the need for out-of-state travel for time-sensitive care.
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