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Fellow Democrat,
In the three years since Dobbs v. Jackson overturned federal abortion protections, the Supreme Court has continued to chip away at reproductive rights. Just today, a new ruling gave states even more power to defund abortion providers like Planned Parenthood. While states across the country move to restrict access to care, Massachusetts is fighting back—protecting patients, providers, and the fundamental right to make personal health decisions.
WHAT THE SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED IN DOBBS V. JACKSON WOMEN’S HEALTH ORGANIZATION
In 1973, the Supreme Court ruled that the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of privacy included a woman’s right to abortion. That precedent stood for nearly 50 years, until June 24, 2022, when the Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization erased federal protections for abortion access. The decision gave states sweeping power to ban or restrict abortion, even in cases where a woman’s life or health is at risk.
The conservative majority, which includes Justices Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, Barrett, Thomas, and Alito, with Chief Justice Roberts concurring in part, ruled that the Constitution does not guarantee access to abortion. Since then, many states have enacted extreme laws that restrict not only abortion, but also care for miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, and non-viable pregnancies.
Just today, June 26, 2025, the Supreme Court doubled down. In Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic , the Court upheld South Carolina’s right to deny Medicaid funding to abortion providers like Planned Parenthood, redirecting those funds to what the state calls “real, comprehensive healthcare.” This ruling gives other states a green light to defund reproductive health providers under the banner of “stewarding resources,” a move that threatens care access for millions of low-income women. The decision also shows how far the Court has moved from protecting reproductive freedom to enabling states to dismantle it systematically.
HOW MASSACHUSETTS WILL PROTECT WOMEN’S HEALTH
In a recent public statement, Governor Maura Healey was unequivocal: “Reproductive freedom is not negotiable here in Massachusetts. Massachusetts will always lead the way on protecting women's health.”
Attorney General Andrea Campbell, standing with other Attorneys General to defend medical professionals from targeted attacks, said: “As threats against providers of abortion and gender-affirming care continue to escalate, it is incumbent upon all of us to double down on our efforts to champion, defend, and protect the medical professionals who provide this essential health care.”
In response to ongoing attacks on health care, the Massachusetts Senate will likely be voting on Bill S.2522, “ An Act Strengthening Health Care Protections in the Commonwealth .” This bill strengthens protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care, building on Chapter 127 of the Acts of 2022. It safeguards the personal information and licensure of providers, advocates, and legal counsel involved in such care, and blocks state cooperation with out-of-state or federal investigations into legally protected health services in Massachusetts. It restricts data collection and sharing by the Department of Public Health and limits access to electronic health records by out-of-state entities. The bill also requires hospitals to provide emergency care to all patients and bans insurance discrimination against nonprofits that offer reproductive or gender-affirming care or face abusive litigation.
While other states use the courts to defund and criminalize reproductive care, Massachusetts will continue to invest in it. The MassDems stand as a partner in the ongoing fight to protect the rights, safety, and dignity of every patient and provider.
With care,
The MassDems Team
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Massachusetts Democratic Party
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Boston, MA 02108
United States
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