Massachusetts Democrats Revolt Over Law Legalizing Late-Term Abortions

Democrat Governor Maura Healey signed the Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act into law on August 10, according to Breitbart News, after it passed the state House by a vote of 119-33 in late July. The legislation eliminates the state’s previous 24-week abortion limit, which had included exceptions for cases involving the life of the mother or a fatal fetal diagnosis.

Under the new law, physicians are granted broad discretion to determine whether to perform late-term abortions throughout all nine months of pregnancy. The governor was flanked by smiling supporters who applauded enthusiastically as she affixed her signature to the bill.

The measure places Massachusetts in the company of ten other jurisdictions that permit abortion up to birth, including Alaska, Vermont, Oregon, New Mexico, Colorado, Minnesota, Michigan, Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington, DC.

Nine Democrat members of the state House joined their Republican counterparts in opposing the legislation, citing serious legal and ethical concerns. Speaking to Fox News Digital, as Breitbart News reports, several of these Democrats indicated the law does not reflect the views of most constituents in their districts.

State Representative Jeffrey Turco of Winthrop delivered a sharp rebuke of the new policy, describing it as an extremist and dangerous position. He emphasized that the law permits abortion at any stage of pregnancy without restriction, and in many instances with public funding, right up until birth.

Turco criticized the legislative process as rushed, noting the bill was pushed through in just two weeks without adequate public input. He characterized it as out of touch with average Massachusetts residents and described the policy as barbaric.

State Representative Chris Markey of Dartmouth expressed deep disappointment with the bill’s passage, warning that it creates a very slippery slope. He argued the law places physicians in difficult ethical positions and conflicts with established criminal case law. Markey stated his belief that the legislation does not align with the views of the vast majority of his constituents, noting that being pro-choice does not require support for measures that exceed acceptable norms.

State Representative Dennis Gallagher, a Democrat from the 8th Plymouth District, acknowledged his general view that abortion decisions should rest between a woman and her doctor, but argued for greater emphasis on alternatives such as adoption in late-term cases where neither maternal nor fetal health is compromised. He noted that the previous state law already permitted post-24-week abortions when the mother’s health was endangered or severe fetal anomalies were present.

Gallagher said that when both mother and baby are healthy late in pregnancy, alternatives to abortion should be encouraged, though he maintained that ultimately the decision belongs to a woman and her physician.

State Representative Alan Silvia, a pro-life Democrat from Bristol, offered a particularly pointed criticism of his colleagues’ priorities. He accused fellow legislators of showing more concern for endangered wildlife than for unborn human beings.

Silvia stated his consistent position in support of protecting human life, including that of the unborn. He observed that society goes to extraordinary lengths to protect vulnerable life, including saving whales and stray animals, yet this same protective instinct too often disappears when it comes to unborn children.

The pro-life Democrat made clear his opposition to abortion, particularly in later stages of pregnancy, and vowed to continue standing by his convictions in future votes.

The law has drawn condemnation from Catholic groups and pro-life organizations across Massachusetts, who argue the legislation represents one of the most extreme abortion policies in the nation.

With information from Breitbart News