Page 4 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, September 18, 2026 Senator Lewis, Representatives Ultrino and Lipper-Garabedian and Mass. Legislature act to keep government out of doctor’s appointments O n July 31, 2026, State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representatives Steven Ultrino and Kate Lipper-Garabedian joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature to enact a bill to expand reproductive healthcare for Massachusetts residents and ensure that healthcare professionals and patients have more control over personal health by removing legal restrictions on abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy. On August 10, Governor Maura Healey signed the bill into law as Chapter 188 of the Acts of 2026. According to Reproductive Equity Now, under current law, dozens of Massachusetts patients each year are forced to leave the state to access abortion care after 24 weeks, even in cases involving devastating diagnoses or risks to the patient’s life. The decision to terminate a pregnancy is often in J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. Monogram D4 Double siding Cedar impression half rounds Harvey Vinyl Replacement Windows Custom Aluminum Trim work Windows & Doors Top quality Vinyl Siding! •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Fully Licensed •Fully Insured Everett Aluminum Supplies Celebrating 67 Years in Business Since 1958! ws Jason Lewis State Senator Steve Ultrino State Representative S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. Masonry - Asphalt • Brick or Block Steps • Brick or Block Walls • Concrete or Brick Paver Patios & Walkways • Brick Re-Pointing • Asphalt Paving www.JandSlandscape-masonry.com • Senior Discount • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured 617-389-1490 Designing and Constructing Ideas that are “Grounds for Success” Landscaping response to a medical emergency or a diagnosis incompatible with life. This legislation ensures that the decision to have an abortion later in pregnancy remains between a patient and their healthcare providers, without interference from the government. “When a family learns the devastating news late in pregnancy that they won’t be able to deliver a healthy baby into the world, they shouldn’t be forced to travel to another state to safely end the pregnancy,” said Senator Lewis. “This legislation expands reproductive healthcare in the commonwealth and puts the advice of healthcare providers above the will of politicians.” “It is essential that Massachusetts residents have access to the care they need when facing serious and difficult medical circumstances,” said Representative Ultrino. “Just as crucially, patients and their medical providers must be empowered to make healthcare Kate Lipper-Garabedian State Representative choices based on the individual circumstances of each case.” “This legislation reaffirms that the Commonwealth protects individuals seeking care and their right to make informed health care decisions with their doctors,” said Representative Lipper-Garabedian. “Amid continuous attacks on reproductive rights from the federal government and other states, this legislation ensures that Massachusetts residents can receive necessary abortions here in the Commonwealth, eliminating the need to travel and leave their support systems at home. This legislation affirms the expertise and professional judgement of physicians to support their patients and provide care without hesitation and harmful obstacles.” “An Act prioritizing patient access to care” was enacted by the House (121-35) and Senate. In April 2026, the Senate passed the bill, 36-3.
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