Aug 10, 2026
Okay, I promised I wouldn’t work on my vacation, but this news was too good not to share: Massachusetts just legalized abortion throughout pregnancy, becoming the 10th state to allow abortion after 24 weeks.1
At a bill signing ceremony today, Gov. Maura Healey said, “We believe that health care decisions should be made between women and families and their doctors, not politicians.”
Until now, abortion later in pregnancy was only permitted to protect the patient’s life or health, or because of a grave fetal diagnosis. The Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act changes Massachusetts law to allow abortion after 24 weeks “when based upon the professional judgement of the physician.”
“It comes down to a simple, but powerful conviction,” bill sponsor Rep. Christine Barber said. “Decisions about abortion care must remain between a patient and their provider. No one else.”
Barber said she was inspired to introduce the legislation after hearing from patients who were forced to leave the state for abortion care. Kate Dineen, for example, had to travel to Maryland after learning her son suffered a massive stroke in utero. As devastating as her diagnosis was, it didn’t fit the narrow legal requirements for abortion in Massachusetts.
“I am profoundly grateful that our state leaders are righting this wrong once and for all,” Dineen said today.
I wish women didn’t have to relive their most traumatic moments to create legislative change, but I’m so awed by those willing to do so—all in the hope it might save another woman from similar suffering.
Trouble is, many religious people love to cause suffering in others, and especially want women and girls to suffer. Some stupid god thing, which is fucking insane cruelty.
Something that’s not getting nearly enough attention: the legislation also clears the way for clinic-based care after 24 weeks—it struck down Massachusetts’ requirement that abortions later in pregnancy be performed in hospitals. That’s a big deal!
Thank you to the advocates who worked so hard to get this legislation to Gov. Healey’s desk—like the folks at Reproductive Equity Now, and the incredible slate of later abortion patient advocates who shared their stories with lawmakers. And thank you, Gov. Healey, for leading the way.
One last thing to remember: this new law is already getting lots of negative attention from conservatives and right-wing media. They want to make the legislation sound radical, and anyone who supports it sound like extremists.
So please remember—and pass the word along—that Americans don’t want government involvement in pregnancy, period. Over 80% of voters want abortion to be a decision between a woman and her doctor, not something that’s legislated. And increasingly, Americans support abortion protections throughout pregnancy.
So no, nothing about this legislation is radical. It’s exactly in line with what Americans want and what women deserve: full access to reproductive healthcare, without government interference.
Watch the press conference & signing below:
In addition to Massachusetts, nine states and Washington, D.C. allow abortion throughout pregnancy: Alaska, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, and Vermont.
