By Bob Katzen
House 132-24, Senate 37-3, approved and sent the “Shield Act” to Gov. Maura Healey. The measure would prohibit state agencies, employees and law enforcement from cooperating with investigations by other states or the federal government, into reproductive or gender affirming health care that is legally protected in Massachusetts.
Other provisions include enhancing license protections for anyone providing or assisting in reproductive or transgender care; forbidding insurance companies from discriminating against or penalizing providers who offer reproductive and gender-affirming care; and protecting attorneys licensed in Massachusetts from removal or discipline for advising or representing clients on the topics of reproductive or transgender care.
“The Massachusetts Legislature is once again standing up to defend the rights of Massachusetts residents,” said Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington), Senate chair of the Committee on Health Care Financing. “Now, facing a wave of new threats on our autonomy from the federal government and other states, this legislation will enhance the protections for patients and providers we first put in place in 2022. In the commonwealth, legally protected health care is just that, and we will always step up to uphold this and fight for our residents.”
“The federal government has made one thing clear: Massachusetts is on her own when it comes to protecting the privacy and constitutional rights of our residents,” said Rep. Michael Day (D-Stoneham), House Chair of the Judiciary Committee. “Today, we meet this challenge by ensuring that legally protected healthcare decisions made here in the commonwealth do not become the basis for radical prosecutors in other states to exploit individuals or encourage corporations to profit off our personal data.”
“The Trump Administration’s rampant attacks on Planned Parenthood health centers, on LGBTQ people, especially trans people and on immigrants make it more urgent that we strengthen protections for reproductive healthcare providers and patients,” said Dominique Lee, CEO of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. “No one should be afraid to seek care that is safe, legal and available in Massachusetts. This bill strengthens patient confidentiality, protects healthcare providers and supports the delivery of evidence-based reproductive health and gender-affirming care.”
Catholic Action League Executive Director C. J. Doyle said the bill is special interest legislation for the Massachusetts abortion industry. “Once it is signed into law by Gov. Healey, Planned Parenthood and other abortion businesses will, with complete legal immunity, be empowered to ship the toxic abortion drug Mifepristone into states where its use is prohibited. Mifepristone kills unborn children, and in as many as one in ten cases, causes adverse medical complications for the women who use it. This measure is a legislative license for Bay State abortionists to violate the laws of other American states, while being shielded from any criminal prosecution, civil liability or professional discipline.”
Doyle continued, “It is disgraceful, though perhaps not surprising, that neither the Massachusetts Catholics Conference nor the Archdiocese of Boston spoke out against this malign measure. The complacency of Catholic Church leaders may be explained by that old maxim ‘Follow the money!’ In July of 2023, the Healey Administration awarded Catholic Charities of Boston an unprecedented grant of $1 million. In March of 2024, the Healey Administration allocated an additional $2.6 million to Catholic Charities of Boston and Springfield for migrant resettlement and job training. $3.6 million in public funds, it would seem, can buy quite a lot of silence.”
(A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote Is against it.)
Rep. Christine Barber Didn’t Vote Rep. Mike Connolly Yes Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Yes Sen. Patricia Jehlen Yes