The proposed regulations threaten the availability of safe, legal first-trimester abortion and health care in many locations throughout the state.  Women need more access to affordable, high quality health care, not less. 

The regulations, as proposed, would restrict access to essential health care services for Virginia women and would decrease the health care options of  young, low-income, uninsured and minority women. The high standard of care provided by women's health centers is proven by their impressive safety record. Despite some claims, these centers are not all about abortion. They provide a wide range of preventive reproductive health care services including life-saving cancer screenings, family planning, and sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment. 

It is my hope that the regulations will be amended to be based purely on medicine and science and should not impede women's access to essential health care.