Maura Healey — Democratic Candidate for Governor in Massachusetts, 2026

Governor Maura Healey has taken steps to restrict federal immigration enforcement activities in Massachusetts. On January 29, 2026, she filed legislation to limit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, courthouses, and houses of worship. Healey also signed an executive order prohibiting ICE civil arrests in non-public state facilities and the use of state property for enforcement staging, citing public safety and concerns about unlawful actions by ICE.

““In Massachusetts and across the country, we continue to see unlawful and unconstitutional actions by ICE that are meant to intimidate and instill fear in our communities, including against United States citizens who are exercising their constitutional rights,” Healey said in a prepared statement. “I find it necessary in the interest of public safety to take this action today.””

Maura Healey supports policies to increase healthcare affordability and access. She has announced new state regulations to eliminate prior authorization requirements for various medical services, ensuring patients receive care without delay. She also plans to ban medical debt from being reported to credit agencies. Furthermore, she advocates for extending ACA credits to prevent health care cost spikes, citing her focus on driving down costs for families.

““We’re cutting the red tape that stands between you and health care,” Maura Healey said, "From now on, a wide range of medical drugs, services, and equipment will no longer need any prior authorization at all.” (WGBH News, January 14, 2026)”

Maura Healey's administration announced a $180 million plan to temporarily reduce residential electric and gas bills in early 2026, emphasizing affordable energy for residents. While signing a climate law to advance clean energy transition, create jobs, and lower costs, her administration also delayed a clean heat standard until 2028 due to mounting affordability concerns. She also highlighted increased scrutiny of additional fees on energy bills, utility energy purchase rates, and utility rate hikes.

“Everything’s more expensive — groceries, a cup of coffee, the new coat or boots you want, the hot-water heater that you need, sports fees for your kids, dinner out once in a while,” Healey said. “It’s all so much harder now. I want you to know I get it.” (Gov. Maura Healey, State of the Commonwealth speech, January 22, 2026, WGBH News)”

Maura Healey supports abortion access and signed an updated reproductive health care shield law to strengthen protections for patients and providers. This legislation prevents disclosure of sensitive data, ensures abortions for medical necessity, and prohibits state cooperation with out-of-state investigations into legally protected services. Healey advocates for staying "on offense" to defend and expand reproductive freedom, ensuring Massachusetts remains a state where patients can access high-quality health care.

““Massachusetts will always be a state where patients can access high-quality health care and providers are able to do their jobs without government interference,” Healey said in a statement. “From the moment Roe was overturned, we stepped up to pass strong protections for patients and providers, and with President Trump and his allies continuing their assaults on health care, we’re taking those protections to the next level. No one is going to prevent the people of Massachusetts from getting the health care they need.””

Maura Healey opposes aggressive federal immigration enforcement tactics, arguing that these actions do not make communities safer and cause fear. She also supports investing in defense technology, quantum, and AI partnerships as key economic drivers within Massachusetts to ensure state competitiveness.

“This isn’t right. I was a prosecutor and attorney general, and I can tell you none of this makes us safer. It doesn’t need to be this way. It needs to stop. Enough is enough.”

Governor Maura Healey prioritizes education, emphasizing investments in literacy and universal pre-kindergarten, and aims for 100,000 students in early college programs within ten years. She proposes new high school graduation requirements to replace the MCAS exam, focusing on course completion, portfolios, and end-of-course exams that are not high-stakes for graduation, alongside financial literacy. Her goal is to prepare students with academic, problem-solving, and leadership skills for future success.

““We all need to work together to make sure our young people are prepared not only with strong academic skills but also with the problem-solving, collaboration, and leadership abilities they’ll need to succeed in every aspect of life,” - Governor Maura Healey, in a statement, Boston Herald, September 24, 2025”

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