Accessing Abortion Care in Massachusetts

Abortion remains legal in Massachusetts. Following the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs, Executive Order 600 protected access to reproductive health care in the Commonwealth. Shortly after, the Shield Law was enacted to codify protections for reproductive and gender affirming care. Click here to view Massachusetts' laws governing abortion access.

In January 2025, the Healey-Driscoll Administration adopted emergency amendments to protect nurses who provide, or assist in providing, reproductive health care services in Massachusetts.

The Abortion Legal Hotline is a free and confidential abortion information resource created by the AG's Office, advocates, and private law firms to connect patients and providers with free legal advice about lawful abortion.

In 2020, the Massachusetts Legislature enacted key provisions of the ROE Act, protecting the right to abortion and allowing for abortion later in pregnancy in cases of fatal fetal diagnoses. Click here to learn more about consent and access for minors. 

Following a federal judge's decision to roll back the Food and Drug Administration's 23 year approval of the drug mifepristone, Governor Healey issued Executive Order 609 to confirm protections for medication abortion, including mifepristone under the Shield Law. The administration also worked with the University of Massachusetts and other providers to secure well over a year's supply of mifepristone.

In June 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that abortion opponents lacked the legal right to sue over the federal Food and Drug Administration’s approval of mifepristone, dismissing the case.

On the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision which overturned Roe v. Wade, Massachusetts Governor Healey signed an Executive Order protecting access to emergency abortion care in Massachusetts.

The Department of Public Health (DPH) issued guidance to hospitals, licensed health care providers and physicians, stating that each must treat emergency medical conditions, including when necessary to avoid the risk of loss of life of a pregnant person or serious harm to their health.

The Division of Insurance (DOI) also issued a bulletin to insurers identifying the state’s expectations regarding carriers’ requirements to provide coverage for abortion, abortion-related care, and medication abortion services, including emergency abortion care. DOI also issued a bulletin to commercial insurers offering medical malpractice coverage to identify expectations regarding medical malpractice coverage for providers that may provide reproductive or gender-affirming care, including emergency abortion care.

If you are pregnant and looking to understand your abortion options, you should consult with a licensed reproductive healthcare provider. Anti-abortion centers are commonly called Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) and do not provide comprehensive reproductive health care and seek to prevent people from accessing abortion care. 

If you have concerns about your experience with a crisis pregnancy center, file a complaint with the Attorney General's Civil Rights Division online or at 617-963-2917.