I would like to express my support for the regulations for licensure of abortion facilities and request that those regulations be made permanent as soon as possible.
Opponents argue that the regulations are medically inappropriate, unnecessary and burdensome however they are nothing more than most of us would expect from our physicians, staff and medical facility. To require accurate record keeping, proper sanitation, ADA access, life saving equipment, well trained staff, etc is not only medically appropriate and necessary but a reasonable expectation defendable by the courts. Reasonable for the insured or uninsured, the poor or the financially stable, the young college student or the mother of three.
Opponents argue that the abortion industry has a proven safety record. However a review of the abortion providers/clinic owners will reveal a much different picture. Many of the providers have a history of malpractice and licensing issues. The most glaring example of the impact of a lack of regulation rests in Steven Brigham’s ownership of Virginia Women’s Wellness in Virginia Beach. Dr. Brigham is currently charged with 10 counts of 1st and 2nd degree murder related to an abortion clinic he owns in Maryland. At this time there are no laws or regulations that prevent Dr. Brigham from owning and operating his Virginia abortion clinic, that would allow the Department of Health to access his facility for inspection or that would require notice to the women he serves. Another example of what happens behind the very secret walls of an abortion clinic is in the case of Dr. Kermit Gosnell of Philadelphia, PA who currently stands charged with 8 counts of murder. The articles indicate that he experienced 10 malpractice suits over the 30 years he operated his clinic, that his facility was a “house of horrors” and that his staff was improperly licensed for their jobs. These issues could not have gone undetected for 30 years had proper regulations been in place and enforced.
It would appear from a review of those comments opposed to the regulations that the greatest concern is the limitation of access to 1st trimester abortions. Roe v Wade did not mandate that abortion be cheap and easy but rather that it be available without undue burden. I am hopeful that the Board will not be so fearful of the burden of availability that it defers to access over the health and safety of women. The poor, uninsured, young, unemployed or single woman does not “deserve” to receive poor or substandard healthcare.
Please ensure that the emergency regulations are made permanent as quickly as possible.
