Sen. Lewis, Reps. Ultrino & Lipper-Garabedian, & Legislature Act to Keep Gov't Out of Doctor’s Appointments

BOSTON—State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representatives Steven Ultrino and Kate Lipper-Garabedian joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature to expand reproductive healthcare for Massachusetts residents and ensure that healthcare professionals and patients have more control over personal health by removing legal restrictions on abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy.

According to Reproductive Equity Now, under current law, dozens of Massachusetts patients each year are forced to leave the state to access abortion care after 24 weeks, even in cases involving devastating diagnoses or risks to the patient's life.

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The decision to terminate a pregnancy is often in response to a medical emergency or a diagnosis incompatible with life. This legislation ensures that the decision to have an abortion later in pregnancy remains between a patient and their healthcare providers, without interference from the government.

"When a family learns the devastating news late in pregnancy that they won't be able to deliver a healthy baby into the world, they shouldn't be forced to travel to another state to safely end the pregnancy," said Senator Jason Lewis. "This legislation expands reproductive healthcare in the commonwealth and puts the advice of healthcare providers above the will of politicians."

"It is essential that Massachusetts residents have access to the care they need when facing serious and difficult medical circumstances," said House Chair Steven Ultrino. "Just as crucially, patients and their medical providers must be empowered to make healthcare choices based on the individual circumstances of each case."

"This legislation reaffirms that the Commonwealth protects individuals seeking care and their right to make informed health care decisions with their doctors," said House Chair Kate Lipper-Garabedian. "Amid continuous attacks on reproductive rights from the federal government and other states, this legislation ensures that Massachusetts residents can receive necessary abortions here in the Commonwealth, eliminating the need to travel and leave their support systems at home. This legislation affirms the expertise and professional judgement of physicians to support their patients and provide care without hesitation and harmful obstacles."

After passing in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, Governor Maura Healey signed the bill into law on August 10, 2026.