NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Democratic Gov. Maura Healey was greeted with applause and smiles when she signed the elimination of gestational limits on abortion in Massachusetts, making the blue state the 10th to allow the procedure until birth. Under the Prioritizing Patient Access to Health Care Act, health care workers will have greater discretion in determining whether to perform an abortion later in pregnancy, without facing legal sanctions under the state’s previous restrictions. Healey said the law is intended to ensure that families facing medical complications in the late stages of pregnancy can abort their babies in Massachusetts. than having to travel out of state. Those complications can include maternal health complications and fatal diagnoses. During the bill signing, Healey pledged to keep abortion safe, legal and accessible in Massachusetts as long as she remains governor. LATE ABORTION TAKES TOP PLACE AS BLUE STATE STRIKES TO EXPAND ACCESS BEFORE SESSION ENDS Women smile and applaud as Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signs legislation allowing babies to be aborted up to birth. (@MassGovernor/X)”We believe health care decisions should be made between women, families and their doctors, not politicians,” Healey said. “Abortion will remain safe. It will remain legal and it will continue to be accessible here in Massachusetts. That is my commitment to you.” The bill will go into effect within 90 days. Previously, state law generally prohibited abortions after 24 weeks, with limited exceptions. Massachusetts now joins Alaska, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon and Vermont in eliminating gestational age limits for abortion, along with the District of Columbia. NEW JERSEY DEMOCRATS ADVANCE LAW CRIMINALIZING INTERFERENCE WITH ABORTION, TRANSGENDER HEALTH CARE FILE – Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said the new abortion law will give medical professionals greater discretion to perform abortions later in pregnancy without facing legal repercussions. (David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) Healey said Monday’s signing was intended to “support women,” arguing that those who oppose the legislation do not support women’s health. “The bottom line for the people of Massachusetts, if they care about women’s health, if they care about making sure that women can access the health care they need in consultation with their doctors, should be clear,” she said. “I’m on the women’s side. My opponents are not.” Healey also framed the legislation as a “shield” against national efforts by President Donald Trump and Republicans to roll back abortion protections following the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court. FILE – A pregnant woman in Massachusetts will be able to obtain a late-term abortion at her doctor’s discretion under new law. (iStock) CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP “It’s up to the states to lead,” Healey said. “And as governor, I promise that no matter what Donald Trump, Republicans in Congress or the Supreme Court do, we will continue to make sure women and families have access to the health care they need, right here in Massachusetts.” Bonny Chu is a breaking news and trends editor for Fox News Digital.
