'Dystopian Nightmare': MA Lawmakers React To Roe V. Wade Decision

BOSTON — In the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, Gov. Charlie Baker signed an executive order saying Massachusetts will not cooperate with other states seeking extradition for violating their abortion laws.

This order will protect access to reproductive health care services throughout the Bay State - including those who come to Massachusetts from other states to receive them.

"I am deeply disappointed in today's decision by the Supreme Court which will have major consequences for women across the country who live in states with limited access to reproductive health care services," Baker said in a statement. "The Commonwealth has long been a leader in protecting a woman’s right to choose and access to reproductive health services, while other states have criminalized or otherwise restricted access."

The decision, authored by Justice Samuel Alito, was released Friday, more than a month after a draft of the opinion leaked. It will have an immediate impact on abortion rights in 13 states, largely in the south and west, that have laws in place to ban abortion as soon as Roe is overturned.

Read more: Roe V. Wade Overturned: What Happens Now In MA?

Part of Baker's executive order for Massachusetts will protect doctors who continue to provide reproductive health care and those who perform abortions and other services for both in and out-of-state patients.

The order will also prohibit executive department agencies and their employees from investigations against patients seeking these procedures or doctors/nurses performing them. The order also directs the governor's office to decline requests from other states to issue warrants for arrest for offenses dealing with reproductive health care services.

"Today is a dark day in our history," said state Attorney General and Gubernatorial frontrunner Maura Healey in reaction to the ruling. "For nearly 50 years, the constitutional right to abortion has saved lives. It is freedom, healing, and the chance to live your life on your own terms."

Assistant Speaker of the U.S. House, Rep. Katherine Clark also condemned the ruling.

"Overturning the right to an abortion brings us to the horrifying reality of government-mandated pregnancy – we are now living in a dystopian nightmare," Clark said. "Forced pregnancy is morally abhorrent, and this decision will set women back decades. But we are not powerless. We will fight."

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu took to Twitter Friday morning saying in part, "To all those who have received abortion care, considered getting an abortion, or supported a loved one who needed care: I stand with you."

"Abortion is crucial healthcare," Wu continued. "Every level of government, from city to federal, needs to stand up now to protect access to care."