Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey wants $2 million to send nurses into more homes. The plan targets roughly 68,000 births statewide each year. It is a huge jump from the current 3,000 births served annually. This push follows the mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy case. Clancy killed her three children in Duxbury in 2023. The jury could not agree on her criminal responsibility.
The state describes the Welcome Family program as voluntary. Nurses check on the health of parents and newborns. They answer questions about baby care and screen for mental health issues. They also connect families with other services. Massachusetts lists ensuring that your home is safe as a topic for nurse advice. The goal is to help parents raise healthy children.
Welcoming a baby is one of life’s greatest joys — and one of its biggest challenges.
I’m taking action so every Massachusetts family gets support from the start, including home visits from nurses, earlier screenings, and better access to care.
No new mom or family should have… pic.twitter.com/hjrsYAwmQR
— Governor Maura Healey (@MassGovernor) September 15, 2026
Phyllis Schlafly raised this exact issue 27 years ago.
Her daughter, Anne Schlafly, says the warning fits today perfectly. Anne leads the Eagle Forum. Regarding potential government intrusion into family lives, she informed Fox News Digital that her mother had been very prescient about possible outcomes. She believes a government agent has no business in your home. “After all, the home is our castle,” she said.
Phyllis Schlafly worried about programs that look voluntary on paper. She questioned whether they would always operate that way in practice. Massachusetts today describes Welcome Family as voluntary. But the list of advice includes checking home safety. This touches on a core principle for many families.
The Lindsay Clancy trial put a spotlight on maternal mental illness. The prosecution contended that she understood her actions were wrong. The defense claimed she suffered from postpartum psychosis. The result was a deadlocked jury and a mistrial. Now, the state moves to expand its reach into private living spaces.
