State of Massachusetts secondary Archives: on Abortion
Heidi Wellman:
Oppose abortion as an unrestricted right
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right"?
A: NO
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Massachusetts Senate candidate
Mar 7, 2018
Allen Waters:
Conservative on abortion rights
Waters identified himself as a conservative Democrat from Mashpee and said he is running for the Republican nomination to combat "50 years of liberal failure on poverty" and to "protect our American culture."
He explained he is conservative on many issues, including gun rights (he said he had his gun license in his pocket), abortion, and the idea of "sanctuary cities."
Source: Greenfield Recorder on 2018 Massachusetts Senatorial race
Jun 1, 2017
Brian Herr:
Supports abortion rights
Like many Republicans in Massachusetts,
Herr is a fiscal conservative who is liberal on social issues. He supports abortion rights, and he supports gay marriage as an issue of equal rights.
Source: Springfield Republican on 2014 Massachusetts Senate race
Jan 30, 2014
Bruce Skarin:
Reduce abortions without infringing women's rights to decide
Q: Where do you stand on civil rights (women's health, guns, LGBT)?A: I believe we need to stop questioning our constitutional rights and focus on what we can do to reduce problems. On women's health, we need to do all that we can to reduce abortions
without infringing on the rights of women to make decisions affecting personal health. There are many countries where abortion is illegal, but still have rates much higher than those with effective women's health care.
Source: Independent Voter Project on 2014 Massachusetts Senate race
May 22, 2014
Charlie Baker:
I support a woman's right to choose
The Massachusetts Republican Party establishment has selected Charlie Baker and Richard Tisei as candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor. Baker and Tisei are arguably among the most radical anti-family Republican party-endorsed Governor or
Lt. Governor candidates ever in Massachusetts--or of any state in America. How bad are they? Off the charts. In any other state they would be left-wing Democrats.Charlie Baker--Republican candidate for Governor:- Gay marriage:
Strongly supports same-sex "marriage". Often brings up his gay brother who is "married" to another man.
- Gay pride: Marched in 2010 Boston Gay Pride Parade, which also included transvestites, sado-masochism groups, and numerous other
depravities. Baker marched with anti-family homosexual "KnowThyNeighbor" activists who were also campaigning for Baker.
- Abortion: Supports abortion. States bluntly, "I'm Pro-Choice. I support a woman's right to choose."
Source: MassResistance.org on 2014 Massachusetts Governor's race
Aug 4, 2010
Charlie Baker:
No abortion for 16-year-olds without parental consent
The ROE Act [H5179 was vetoed by Governor Baker]. In his letter to lawmakers, Baker said he "strongly" supports a woman's right to access reproductive health care, including eliminating the 24-hour waiting period for an abortion."However, I cannot
support expanding the availability of later term abortions and permitting minors age 16 and 17 to get an abortion without the consent of a parent or guardian," Baker wrote.
The legislature's version of the bill would also permit abortions after
24 weeks "if it is necessary to preserve the patient's physical or mental health." Baker proposed to change the qualifying condition for a later-term abortion to "if a continuation of the pregnancy will impose a substantial risk to" the patient's
physical or mental health.
Legislative Outcome: Vetoed by Governor Baker 12/24/20; re-enactment passed House 107-46-4 on rollcall #374; re-enactment passed Senate 32-8-0 on 12/29/2020.
Source: WBUR on Massachusetts State Legislature voting records H5179
Dec 24, 2021
Deval Patrick:
Support for stem cell research
We will issue bonds to invest in expansion and development of stem cell research. Proceeds from the bonds will be invested in research facilities and faculty development in the public universities to stimulate their expansion.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p. 4
Sep 15, 2005
Don Berwick:
States can't exclude Planned Parenthood from Medicaid
Indiana has lost its battle to de-fund the Planned Parenthood abortion business--as a judge today issued a permanent injunction in a lawsuit over the de-funding law.Planned Parenthood of Indiana is Indiana's largest abortion provider and does more
than 5,000 abortions each year. Indiana became the first state of several to kick the abortion business out of its program in May 2011. A provision of the law, HB1210, would prevent Medicaid patients from obtaining services at Planned Parenthood and othe
facilities that provide abortions.
Governor Mitch Daniels signed the law, which would cut off anywhere from $2 million to $3 million the Planned Parenthood abortion business receives in federal funds via the Indiana government through Medicaid.
Afterwards, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Donald Berwick said the federal Medicaid law stipulates that states can't exclude providers based on the services they provide [which led to the court ruling].
Source: LifeNews.com on 2014 Massachusetts Governor race
Jul 30, 2013
Ed Markey:
Champion of woman's ability to make her own decisions
Congressman Markey is a strong proponent of ObamaCare, which ensures that preventive services: such as breast cancer screenings and contraception --are available free of charge.Endorsed by NARAL, Ed is pro-choice and a strong champion of a woman's
ability to make her own decisions about her reproductive health. He voted against the "Stupak Amendment," which would have denied women the ability to purchase private insurance plans that cover abortion services, even when using their own money.
Ed believed this represented an unprecedented intrusion between a woman and her doctor, and he voted against it.
Ed is also a leading advocate for investing in research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to prevent, treat, and cure diseases that affect women, including breast and lung cancer, heart disease, diabetes, depression and Alzheimer's.
Source: Vote-USA.org on 2020 Massachusetts Senate race
Oct 23, 2014
Ed Markey:
Massachusetts should lead in protecting right to choose
Now is the time for Massachusetts "to be the leader in ensuring we put on the books" a women's right to choose,
Markey said. "The decision has to be made by women," Markey said.
Source: Springfield Republican on 2020 Massachusetts Senate debate
Oct 6, 2020
Geoff Diehl:
Conscientious taxpayer objection to abortion
The Taxpayer Conscience Protection Act-Bill Number: H2542 Primary Sponsor: Rep. Geoff Diehl
An Act relative to taxation. This bill would allow taxpayers the opportunity to indicate on their state tax return that they would like the portion of their taxes usually spent on government-funded abortions to instead fund the Baby Safe Haven program.
Source: Mass. Citizens for Life on 2018 Massachusetts Senate race
Feb 22, 2013
Jay Gonzalez:
Close the federal gap in funding for Planned Parenthood
Joining thousands of women on Boston Common to stand in support of Planned Parenthood, Jay Gonzalez voiced his commitment to women's reproductive health care. Gonzalez applauded Governor Baker's commitment to closing the gap in funding for Planned
Parenthood if President Trump and the Republican Congress defund it. Gonzalez called on Governor Baker to join him in making the following additional commitments to support women's reproductive rights:- Guarantee that women have access to no
co-pay birth control if the Affordable Care Act is repealed; and
- Commit that future appointments to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court will uphold women's rights to full reproductive freedom and ensure women's access to safe, legal abortion in
Massachusetts.
Said Gonzalez, "I'm calling on Governor Baker to join with me in denouncing any effort by the Trump Administration and the Republican Congress who seek to put women and families' access to health care at risk."
Source: 2018 Massachusetts Governor campaign website jay4ma.com
Mar 11, 2017
John Kerry:
No criminalization of a woman's right to choose
The Republicans want to criminalize the right of women to choose, take us back to the days of back alleys, gag doctors and deny families the right to plan and be aware of their choices - we
Democrats want to protect the constitutional right of privacy and make clear that at the center of this struggle is our commitment to have a Supreme Court that will protect the equal rights, the civil rights, and the right to choose in this nation.
Source: Keynote Speech to Massachusetts Democratic Issues Convention
Jun 7, 2003
Karyn Polito:
Voted YES on overriding veto on Stem Cell Research Bill
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part II: HEALTH CARE:Clause 14: Stem cell research. [State Rep. Polito, a Republican, voted YES].This vote affirmed passage of the bill supporting stem cell research as originally
passed by the House and Senate, rejecting Governor Romney's proposed amendments and veto, and avoiding delays of implementation. A vote of YES indicates support for embryonic stem cell research and support for regenerative medicine research.
The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part II, clause 14: HEALTH CARE: We endorse the Legislature's support for stem cell research, including embryonic stem cells, in the belief that such research will yield treatment for many illnesses.
Bill S. 2039 ; vote number H069
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
May 31, 2005
Marty Walsh:
Voted NO on overriding veto on Stem Cell Research Bill
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part II: HEALTH CARE:Clause 14: Stem cell research. [State Rep. Walsh, a Democrat, voted NO].This vote affirmed passage of the bill supporting stem cell research as originally
passed by the House and Senate, rejecting Governor Romney's proposed amendments and veto, and avoiding delays of implementation. A vote of YES indicates support for embryonic stem cell research and support for regenerative medicine research.
The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part II, clause 14: HEALTH CARE: We endorse the Legislature's support for stem cell research, including embryonic stem cells, in the belief that such research will yield treatment for many illnesses.
Bill S. 2039 ; vote number H069
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
May 31, 2005
Maura Healey:
I'm always going to stand up for abortion access
Healey led a coalition of 24 attorneys general to file an amicus brief to challenge the 15-week abortion ban that sprung up in Mississippi. Healey also took to Twitter after the Mississippi abortion case was heard in court, calling the hearing
a "dangerous day at SCOTUS.""Roe is the law of the land and must remain that way," Healey wrote. "No matter what the Court rules, I'm always going to stand up for abortion access."
Source: Boston Globe on 2022 Massachusetts Gubernatorial race
Dec 2, 2021
Maura Healey:
Ensure access to abortion, contraception, STI testing
- Ensuring every Massachusetts resident can access quality affordable health care, including abortion care, contraception, STI testing and treatment, and gender-affirming care.
- Supporting comprehensive, LGBTQ-inclusive, consent-focused, and
medically accurate sex education.
- Fulfilling the recommendations of the Massachusetts Racial Inequities in Maternal Health Commission and advancing legislation to address racial disparities in maternal health outcomes.
Source: 2022 Massachusetts Governor campaign website MauraHealey.com
Jun 7, 2022
Setti Warren:
Require state & local governments to allow abortion coverage
Of the eight specific federal legislative proposals in ORMA's "People's Platform," I am fully comfortable supporting the first five, including the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Act, and I will work to implement each of these in
Massachusetts as governor.Congressional summary of H.R. 771 :
Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH Woman) Act requires the federal government:- to ensure coverage for abortion care in public health insurance
programs including Medicaid, Medicare, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP);
- as an employer or health plan sponsor, to ensure coverage for abortion care for participants and beneficiaries; and
- as a provider of health
services, to ensure that abortion care is made available to individuals who are eligible to receive services.
Governments may not prohibit or inhibit insurance coverage of abortion care by local governments or by private health plans.
Source: ORMA questionnaire on 2018 Massachusetts governor race
Dec 20, 2017
Shannon Liss-Riordan:
Won't let red states apply draconian anti-abortion laws here
[On why she's running]: "So I'll use the power of that office to make sure that abortion access remains throughout Massachusetts for anyone who needs an abortion here or comes here from other states and
we're gonna have some legal battles unlike anything we've seen before where these red states are going to try to impose their draconian anti-abortion laws here and I won't let that happen."
Source: iBerkshires.com on 2022 Massachusetts A.G. race
Aug 29, 2022
Shiva Ayyadurai:
Personal decision that involves two lives
He calls abortion a "personal decision" but also says that it's one that involves two lives,
that of the mother and the fetus.
Source: MetroWest Daily News on 2020 Massachusetts Senate race
Oct 22, 2018
Sonia Chang-Diaz:
No abortion for 16-year-olds; keep 24-hour waiting periods
The ROE Act [H5179 was vetoed by Governor Baker]. In his letter to lawmakers, Baker said he "strongly" supports a woman's right to access reproductive health care, including eliminating the 24-hour waiting period for an abortion."However, I cannot
support expanding the availability of later term abortions and permitting minors age 16 and 17 to get an abortion without the consent of a parent or guardian," Baker wrote.
The legislature's version of the bill would also permit abortions after
24 weeks "if it is necessary to preserve the patient's physical or mental health." Baker proposed to change the qualifying condition for a later-term abortion to "if a continuation of the pregnancy will impose a substantial risk to" the patient's
physical or mental health.
Legislative Outcome: Vetoed by Governor Baker 12/24/20; re-enactment passed House 107-46-4 on rollcall #374; re-enactment passed Senate 32-8-0 on 12/29/2020; Sen. Chang-Diaz voted YEA.
Source: WBUR on Massachusetts State Legislature voting records H5179
Dec 29, 2021
Steve Grossman:
Endorsed by NARAL as "a steadfast pro-choice voice"
NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts--the leading statewide advocate for privacy and a woman's right to choose--announced its endorsement of Steve Grossman for State Treasurer: "NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts is very proud to endorse Steve Grossman," said the
organization's Executive Director. "In his long career of political activism, Steve Grossman has been a steadfast pro-choice voice, and we applaud his clear commitment to protecting privacy and promoting reproductive health."Said Grossman, "As the
Massachusetts and National Democratic Party Chair, I have demonstrated my support for reproductive rights, and I pledge to continue to be a strong advocate for women's health, safety, and reproductive freedom."
NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts, with
20,000 members across the Commonwealth, provides direct assistance to candidates, mobilizes its pro-choice grassroots base in targeted districts, trains candidates and volunteers, and produces and distributes the only statewide pro-choice Voters' Guide.
Source: NARAL press release on 2014 Massachusetts Governor's race
Aug 10, 2010
Tom Reilly:
State funding for stem cell research
Massachusetts life sciences sector offers enormous promise for both medical breakthroughs and job creation. Yet the Romney-Healey Administration has stood in the way of this promise,
fighting and vetoing legislation that sought to clear the way for stem cell research in the Commonwealth. Fortunately, the Legislature overrode this veto, but other barriers to job creation in life sciences remain.
As Governor, Reilly will bolster research and development and job creation in life sciences and strengthen the financial stability of our hospitals, by:
Recapitalizing the state‘s Emerging Technology Fund and making fiscally and economically responsible investments in stem cell and other biomedical research.
Source: Campaign booklet, "Prescription for a Healthy Massachusetts"
Jun 2, 2006
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023