Abortion & Reproductive Health care

Abortion law in Massachusetts

Abortion remains legal in Massachusetts. In 2020, Massachusetts adopted the ROE Act, which created an affirmative right to abortion health care throughout the state. Abortions are permitted under 24 weeks, unless risk to the mother’s life or a grave fetal diagnosis occurs. Parental consent must be given if the person seeking the abortion is under 16 years of age.

In June 2022, the state passed An Act Expanding Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care, also known as a Shield Law. This law constitutionally preserves and protects reproductive and gender-affirming health care in the Commonwealth, including for individuals who travel from out of state and the providers who serve them. In addition, this law requires Masshealth, GIC, and commercial health insurance to cover abortion-related care.

In light of recent court decisions, Governor Healey has signed an executive order confirming that the 2022 Shield Law protects the use, prescribing, dispensing, and administering of mifepristone or misoprostol. Health care providers in Massachusetts may continue using, prescribing, dispensing, or administering these drugs, as long as they're acting in accordance with the acceptable standards of care and utilizing sound medical judgment.

More information on the current state of abortion law in Massachusetts can be found here.

Alert about Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs)

If you are searching online for abortion or pregnancy services, you may see a crisis pregnancy center at the top of your search results. Crisis pregnancy centers are NOT reproductive health care providers. Crisis pregnancy centers are are anti-abortion, anti-contraception groups.

Read the Massachusetts Attorney General’s consumer advisory about CPCs here.

If you have been a victim of a CPC, you have the right to:

• File a complaint with the Civil Rights Division: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/file-a-civil-rights-complaint
• File a complaint about a charity or non-profit: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/file-a-complaint-about-a-charity-or-non-profit
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Known CPCs in our area - avoid these locations if you're seeking an abortion:

• Bethlehem House, Inc, Easthampton
• Clearway Clinic, Springfield
• Springfield Pregnancy Care Center
• Alternatives Pregnancy Center, Greenfield

More crisis pregnancy centers can be found here.

Surgical and Medication Abortions

Surgical Abortions - Surgical abortions are generally an in-office procedure that can occur at any point in a pregnancy. There are two types; suction abortion and dilation and evacuation. Suction abortions are the most common and can be performed up to 16 weeks into a pregnancy. Dilation and evacuation can be performed after 16 weeks. These procedures are over 99% effective with little side effects. More information on surgical abortions here.

Medication Abortions - The abortion pill is two different types of medicine, one taken right after another. The first is mifepristone which prevents the pregnancy from growing. The second is misoprostol which causes symptoms similar to an early miscarriage or a very heavy period. You will experience cramping and bleeding which is emptying your uterus. More information on medication abortions here.

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Resources

• Abortion Rights Fund of Western Massachusetts - This organization provides direct funding for abortion care to folks who either reside in New England or are going to a clinic located in New England. The linked page includes step-by-step directions on how to access abortion in this area, including a list of nearby clinics. 
• Patient Navigation through the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts - Stigma-free information, case management services, and support related to abortion care. Call 617-616-1636 to reach a navigator.
• The Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline - Reach a medical professional who can help you self-manage your abortion or miscarriage by calling or texting 1-833-246-2632. All contact is confidential, anonymous, and private. The website also contains information on accessing medication abortions (aka abortion pills) online.
• Repro Legal Helpline - Get help from a lawyer around legal barriers to abortion, including access to abortion for those under 18. The helpline is free and confidential.
• Tips on how to find the right clinic for you from the National Network of Abortion Funds. Information on avoiding deceptive "Crisis Pregnancy Centers" and questions to ask when you call a clinic. Crisis pregnancy centers outnumber legitimate abortion clinics 3:1 in Massachusetts.
• Abortion Truth Campaign - Information on Massachusetts CPCs
• A Language Guide for Journalists and Communities: Abortion and Reproductive Care - A guide to speaking about abortion and reproductive care from the Transgender Law Center. Draws from trans justice, economic justice, racial justice, and disability justice movements.
• I Need an Abortion - Resources on accessing abortions, including a database of clinics, information on types of abortion, and other FAQs.
• Medication abortion - find abortion pills online
  • Plan C - Information on safe at-home abortions, including a database of providers with information on cost, delivery time, etc.
  • Aid Access - Provides access to and information on at-home medication abortion. Resources to find counseling and support from people who can provide medication abortion care. Intended for those who do not have the ability to access local abortion services.
  
  

  Medical Providers

  • Cooley Dickinson ObGyn & Midwifery - Northampton office located at 22 Atwood Dr. Offers contraceptive management, fertility treatment, and medication and surgical abortions up to 12 weeks. Call 413-586-9866 to make an appointment.
  • Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts - Closest location is at 3550 Main Street, Suite 201, Springfield, MA. This clinic provides sexual and reproductive health care services of many types, including gender-affirming care, contraception, medication abortion, and surgical abortion up to 20 weeks and 6 days. 
  • Tapestry Health - Northampton office located at 76 Carlon Dr. Telehealth options also available. Local organization that provides a variety of healthcare services, including emergency and routine contraception, preventive health screenings, and gender-affirming care. Does not offer abortions.
  • This page created with the help of Nora, a 2023 Northampton High School intern.