A July 21 Boston Globe article covering H.5595/S.1563, Massachusetts’ late-term abortion bill, failed to provide readers with a balanced presentation of the concerns raised by opponents of the legislation.

The approximately 1,000-word article included quotes from seven supporters of the bill, while the opposing viewpoint was limited to an eight-word reference taken from an outdated Massachusetts Citizens for Life call to action. MCFL was not contacted for an updated statement before publication.

Following publication, MCFL President Myrna Maloney Flynn contacted the article’s authors, Samantha Gross and Anjali Huynh, requesting more balanced coverage of legislation with significant consequences for Massachusetts and national abortion policy.

Flynn issued the following statement:

“The good intentions of this bill's sponsors are gravely misplaced. As written, their abortion-up-to-birth bill permits one physician to subjectively decide that any unborn infant can be killed in or outside of a hospital, even babies capable of surviving outside the womb and feeling pain within it. Women experiencing unimaginable, heart wrenching pregnancy complications absolutely deserve all the support they need, but that support is not what this bill provides. Instead, this bill ensures increased abortion industry profits and taxpayer-funded late-term procedures. The legislation promises that an already ominous shadow will grow even darker over the state of Massachusetts.”

As of July 24, the Boston Globe has not responded nor included Flynn's statement in an updated version of its article.

Massachusetts residents deserve complete and accurate information about legislation of this magnitude. 

Coverage of H.5595/S.1563 should include the perspectives of both supporters and opponents so the public can fully understand the impact of this proposal before lawmakers take final action.