Massachusetts Law Gives Physicians Discretion Over Abortions After 24 Weeks

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed H.5595, An Act Prioritizing Patient Access to Care, on August 10, 2026, eliminating the state’s four-part framework governing abortions at or after 24 weeks and allowing the procedure based on the treating physician’s professional judgment, Boston.com reported.

Under the previous framework, abortions at that stage required specific circumstances such as preserving the patient’s life or severe fetal conditions. The new law provides that “an abortion may be performed by a physician based upon the professional judgment of the physician.”

The legislation also prohibits review processes from overriding the professional judgment of the treating physician and the patient or the patient’s health care proxy.

“We’re going to make sure that women in particular are able to make their own health care decisions — not the government,” Healey said.

Boston.com reported the change makes Massachusetts one of 10 states without statutory gestational limits on abortion. Some other outlets described it as the 11th; this brief uses the figure stated by the source verified here.

Not established by this report: when the law takes effect, or whether legal challenges have been filed.

Story Details

Sources

• Boston.com — Gov. Healey signed a law expanding abortion rights (Aug 10, 2026)
• Mass.gov — Governor Healey news and announcements

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