What does Massachusetts law actually allow later in pregnancy?

The phrase “up to birth” can give a misleading impression. Massachusetts law generally allows abortion after 24 weeks only in limited circumstances, such as when needed to preserve the patient’s life or health, or when there is a severe fetal condition. The details depend on the law and the circumstances, so it’s worth checking a reliable legal or state health source rather than relying on a headline.

Later abortions are uncommon, and there can be different reasons for them. A serious health problem may arise, a fetal condition may only become clear later, or delays in finding care can matter. A rule that allows exceptions in difficult cases doesn’t mean late abortion is routine or that the law has no limits.

The fetal-tissue speculation needs evidence before it should be treated as an explanation for a law. In the United States, federal law restricts the sale of human fetal tissue, while allowing certain research donations under specific rules. That doesn’t answer every question about a particular case, but the claim that the law was changed to supply tissue is not established by the information here.