Massachusetts governor signs law removing gestational abortion limits

Key Points:

• Massachusetts passed the Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act, removing gestational limits on abortion past 24 weeks and allowing physicians to use medical judgment for late-term procedures, with the law signed by Gov. Maura Healey.
• The bill faced opposition from nine House Democrats and Republicans, who raised ethical and legal concerns and argued it does not reflect the majority opinion of their constituents.
• Critics, including State Reps. Jeffrey Turco and Chris Markey, described the law as extreme, rushed, and creating ethical dilemmas for doctors, while some emphasized promoting alternatives like adoption when the mother's health is not at risk.
• Pro-life Democrats like State Rep. Alan Silvia condemned the expansion of abortion rights, contrasting protections for unborn children with society’s efforts to protect endangered wildlife.
• Gov. Healey defended the law as necessary to allow families dealing with late-pregnancy medical complications to access abortion services within Massachusetts instead of traveling out of state.