Massachusetts Gov Maura Healey signs bill allowing abortions up until childbirth

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed the Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act, allowing abortions in the state without gestational limits up to childbirth, making it the 10th deep-blue state to permit the procedure through birth. The law gives health care workers more discretion to decide whether to perform an abortion later in pregnancy without facing legal penalties under prior restrictions. Healey said the measure is meant to let families facing late-pregnancy medical complications abort in Massachusetts rather than traveling out of state, including cases involving maternal health problems and fatal diagnoses. The bill takes effect in 90 days, replacing a general 24-week limit with limited exceptions. Healey positioned the act as a shield against potential national rollbacks after the overturning of Roe v. Wade.