MA Gov. Healey Signs Law Expanding Reproductive, Transgender Care

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed an updated Shield Law to strengthen protections for patients and providers.

Gov. Healey signed the legislation Thursday.

"Massachusetts will always be a state where patients can access high-quality health care and providers are able to do their jobs without government interference,” Healey said in a media release.

"From the moment Roe was overturned, we stepped up to pass strong protections for patients and providers, and with President Trump and his allies continuing their assaults on health care, we’re taking those protections to the next level. No one is going to prevent the people of Massachusetts from getting the health care they need,” Healey said.

The law prevents the disclosure of sensitive data, such as a physician’s name, and establishes that abortions are to be provided in emergencies due to medical necessity, according to the release.

"Additionally, the law prohibits Massachusetts state or local authorities from cooperating with any federal or out-of-state investigation into health care services that are legally protected in Massachusetts, such as abortion care," the release said.

In the release, Polly Crozier, the director of family advocacy for GLAD Law, said that by signing the legislation, Healey "ensured that in Massachusetts health care will continue to be based on science and people’s prescribed need for care."

"We’re grateful for her commitment to maintaining access to reproductive health care and transgender health care for the people of the Commonwealth," Crozier said.