As anti-abortion legislation pops up around the country, some states — including Massachusetts — are pursuing legislation to preserve and, in some cases, expand abortion access.
The ROE Act, which is pending in the Massachusetts state legislature, would allow abortions later in a pregnancy in cases where "the abortion is necessary to protect the patient's life or physical or mental health, or in cases of lethal fatal anomalies, or where the fetus is incompatible with sustained life outside the uterus." It also removes the requirement that minors get parental permission before getting an abortion.
Joining Boston Public Radio to weigh in was Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts.
"The ROE Act ... is a wonderful expansion of access to women for health care to make sure it won't matter if you're rich or poor," Rose said.
"If you have a decision to make, it's between you and your doctor and your family and being able to go forward," she continued.
Attorney General Maura Healey said she supports the bill.
Gov. Charlie Baker in April, though, told the State House News Service, "I don't support late-term abortions. I support current law here in Massachusetts. It's worked well for decades for women and families here in Massachusetts and that's what we support."
Baker recently told Boston Public Radiohe would "do everything I need to do to protect a woman's right to choose here in Massachusetts, period."
