Massachusetts lifts all pregnancy limits, joining ten jurisdictions with unrestricted abortion

On Monday, Governor Maura Healey enacted a bill that eliminates all gestational limits on elective abortions in Massachusetts, delegating the decision to the medical judgment of the attending physician. The measure overturns a prior statute that barred abortions after 24 weeks unless the mother's or child's life was at risk. Healey framed the change as a protection of personal healthcare choices against political interference.

With this action, Massachusetts becomes the tenth U.S. jurisdiction, alongside nine states and Washington, D.C., to allow abortions at any point in pregnancy. The legislation was passed by a Democratic-majority legislature before the summer recess. Anti-abortion leader Marjorie Dannenfelser condemned the law, arguing it highlights the shortcomings of a fragmented regulatory system. Data from the Guttmacher Institute show most U.S. abortions occur early, with only about 8% taking place in the second trimester or later.