I strongly support the current regulations on abortion centers approved last year. These regulations should be made permanent and continue to include the strongest standards.

These new regulations are reasonable, common sense measures that ensure life-saving equipment is on hand, infections are prevented, and that clear written policies and building guidelines are in place. They were proposed by medical experts at the Department of Health and were approved 12-1 by the Board of Health.

Virginia's abortion centers must be licensed, regulated and inspected to protect women's health and safety.

I reject the premise that abortion is "health care" because it ends a normal healthy pregnancy by destroying a living human embryo rather than protecting life, but as long as the abortion industry is allowed to operate within the health care system it must be required to adhear to well-defined health and safety standards.

Sincerely,

Tim Heffron