The Issue
Massachusetts physicians provide essential sexual and reproductive health services, including contraception, fertility care, pregnancy care, abortion services, and gender-affirming care.
Patients continue to face barriers that affect access to timely, evidence-based care, including:
- Rising health care costs
- Evolving state and federal policies
- Persistent disparities in maternal health outcomes
- Unequal access to reproductive health services
These challenges can limit patient access, disrupt continuity of care, and interfere with physicians' ability to provide evidence-based treatment.
MMS Position
The Massachusetts Medical Society supports equitable access to the full spectrum of sexual and reproductive health care and the ability of physicians to practice medicine based on clinical evidence and patient needs.
MMS advocates for:
- Access to contraception, abortion, fertility, and gender-affirming care
- Policies that advance maternal health and reproductive health equity
- Reduction of racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes
- Protection of the physician-patient relationship and clinical autonomy
Goal: Ensure all patients have access to safe, high-quality, and equitable reproductive health care.
MMS Advocacy
MMS works to advance policies that protect patient access and support physicians providing reproductive health care across Massachusetts.
Expanding Access to Care
MMS supports policies that:
- Improve access to contraception and family planning services
- Protect access to abortion care
- Expand access to fertility and reproductive health services
- Strengthen protections for patients and providers
Improving Maternal and Reproductive Health Outcomes
MMS advocates for:
- Reducing maternal health disparities
- Expanding access to perinatal mental health services
- Increasing access to doula and maternal support services
- Improving health equity across reproductive health care
Why This Matters to Physicians
Sexual and reproductive health care is a critical component of comprehensive patient care.
Physicians are:
- Guiding patients through complex medical decisions
- Navigating changing policy and regulatory environments
- Addressing disparities that affect patient outcomes
- Working to ensure timely access to evidence-based care
Protecting access to reproductive health care helps physicians deliver high-quality care while preserving clinical judgment and the physician-patient relationship.
Take Action
Support Reproductive Health Advocacy
Join MMS advocacy efforts to protect patient access to reproductive health care and support physician-led, evidence-based medical decision-making.
Become an MMS member and strengthen the physician
voice advocating for patient access and clinical autonomy in Massachusetts.
