WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
  • Gov. Maura Healey invoked emergency authority to prevent immediate suspension of Massachusetts’ new abortion law.
  • Opponents gathered more than 113,000 signatures and are pursuing a statewide repeal referendum in November 2028.
  • The law removed the state’s limit at 24 weeks and gives doctors discretion regarding abortions later in pregnancy.
  • Catholic bishops, abortion opponents, and the Archdiocese of Boston condemned Healey’s action and disputed her claim that an emergency existed.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey used emergency authority on November 6 to block an effort to suspend a new state abortion law while opponents pursue a statewide repeal vote in 2028. The legislation removed the state’s previous limit at 24 weeks and permits abortions throughout pregnancy up to birth.

Healey signed the Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act on August 10. The previous limit included exceptions for the life of the mother and deadly fetal diagnoses, while the new law gives doctors discretion over whether to perform a late term abortion.

The Democrat governor released a video showing herself signing the measure while surrounded by applauding women. Her approval placed Massachusetts alongside Alaska, Vermont, Oregon, New Mexico, Colorado, Minnesota, Michigan, Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington, DC, in allowing abortions up to birth.

Opponents quickly gathered more than 113,000 signatures seeking to challenge the law through a statewide referendum in 2028. They also collected more than twice the 50,000 signatures required to suspend the legislation while the ballot process moves forward.

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Healey’s emergency preamble stopped that suspension effort ahead of the planned referendum. The action drew sharp criticism from abortion opponents and Catholic leaders who had supported the signature campaign.

“The Act does not displace applicable professional standards of care, informed consent obligations, licensing requirements, or facility oversight,” Healey wrote. “Under the Act, abortions after 24 weeks will continue to be extremely rare.”

The Compassionate Care Coalition organized the Repeal188 effort, named for the chapter containing the new law. The coalition includes Massachusetts Citizens for Life, Massachusetts Family Action, Massachusetts Family Institute, Democrats for Life of America, and Cape Cod Pro-Life Alliance.

Catholic bishops in Massachusetts also backed the campaign. The coalition argued that Healey’s emergency maneuver brushed aside the concerns of more than 113,000 residents who signed petitions against the legislation.

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“Governor Healey’s preamble reflects an utter disregard for the men and women she was elected to represent. In a matter of a few weeks, more than 113,000 of her constituents went out of their way to oppose a highly controversial, deeply consequential law,” the Repeal188 petition website reads.

The coalition said Healey had not adequately explained what emergency justified blocking the law’s suspension. It also said Massachusetts voters will still decide in November 2028 whether to repeal the measure.

The group announced in late October that it had submitted the signatures to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, with certification still pending. That announcement occurred at a State House memorial representing the 49,450 babies killed in abortions in Massachusetts during 2024.

“The people of Massachusetts did not ask for abortion through all nine months, and in a matter of weeks they made that clear,” said Sam Miele, chairman of the Compassionate Care Coalition and director of Massachusetts Family Action.

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Archbishop Richard G. Henning of Boston supported the repeal effort alongside Massachusetts Bishops William D. Byrne of Springfield, Edgar M. da Cunha of Fall River, and Robert J. McManus of Worcester. Henning said even some residents identifying as supporters of abortion rights viewed the law as too extreme.

Bishop McManus called the law “horribly immoral” and “tantamount to infanticide.” He also said, “I think our people said, ‘Enough is enough.’”

After Healey’s declaration, the Archdiocese of Boston issued a November 7 statement rejecting her reasoning. “We respectfully and passionately disagree that abortion, the taking of human life, may be considered health care,” the statement reads.

“We also disagree that there is an emergency requiring the further expansion of the existing and already radically permissive law.” The Archdiocese said its work defending life would continue while calling for support for families, particularly those facing crises.

CatholicVote President and CEO Kelsey Reinhardt separately wrote to Massachusetts Catholic bishops after Healey signed the bill. Reinhardt called for Healey to be excommunicated and asked the Church to provide clarification and guidance to Catholics regarding public officials who support abortion until birth.

Healey’s office later told the Boston Herald that she is a “governor for all people of all faiths.” A spokesperson said Healey, who describes herself as a proud Catholic, believes women and families should not be forced to travel to other states for care.

Spokesperson Jacqueline Manning said before the emergency declaration that Healey “continues to monitor the referendum process and evaluate options.” Healey, reelected on November 3, previously issued a similar emergency preamble to preserve a 2024 gun control law targeted by an unsuccessful repeal effort.

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