The Massachusetts abortion limit fight

Massachusetts has replaced its prior framework for abortions after 24 weeks with a standard based on a physician's professional judgment. Gov. Maura Healey signed the measure on Aug. 10; WCVB says the old rule allowed later abortions only in listed circumstances, including a lethal fetal anomaly or preserving the patient's life or health. 12

Healey says the change keeps patients from crossing state lines and puts decisions with women and their doctors. 3 Critics, including Massachusetts Citizens for Life and Fox News, describe the law as removing a meaningful late-pregnancy guardrail and use the phrase "up until birth." 45 The legal change is documented; how the physician-judgment standard will be applied in individual cases is the unresolved question.

The X quotes in the cards are an illustrative, polarized sample, not a poll. One supporting reaction from ReproRights is below. 6