The bill mandates the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to produce a report by April 1, 2023, that identifies areas within the Commonwealth where pregnant individuals lack access to abortion and maternity care within a 50-mile radius. Developed in consultation with Reproductive Equity Now, Inc., the report will also provide recommendations to enhance access to these services, particularly in regions like Cape Cod and the Islands, and parts of North Central and Western Massachusetts, where significant access challenges exist. The report will address racial and ethnic disparities, particularly affecting American Indian/Alaskan Native populations, and will outline barriers to care such as transportation issues and the presence of anti-abortion centers.

In addition to highlighting access disparities, the bill proposes new legal language aimed at improving the availability of reproductive health services, including data on the percentage of females without access to various maternity care facilities. It emphasizes the importance of midwifery services and equitable access to address maternal health disparities. The bill also includes recommendations for hospitals to publicly offer abortion services, integrate abortion care into primary care, and utilize telemedicine to enhance access. Overall, the bill seeks to address geographic and racial inequities in reproductive health care access in Massachusetts, advocating for improved services and support for marginalized communities.