To the Board of Health:

As a Public Health professional, I am keenly aware of how politics affects public health and specifically, the health of women, minorities, and other underserved groups.  In Virginia and in the United States, we cannot allow politics to prevent access to healthcare services of those who heavily rely on them--I am speaking in regards to laws aimed at deterring women's health and abortion providers.  Politicians tend to focus broadly only on "rights,"  but the reality is that when we prevent healthcare access and do not allow abortions, we have a sicker population.  Historically, when abortions are not legal or accessible, women use unsafe methods to do their own abortions--whether this is through unsafe drugs, coat hangers, and questionable parties, the list is endless.  "Miscarriages" skyrocket.  By providing abortions and preventative services, women can obtain the vaccines, the antibiotics, the screenings, and reproductive services that they need to maintain their health. 

According to the World Health Organization, the United States ranks 37th in healthcare.  Among the many reasons, one of them is because of a lack of access to healthcare services by the underprivleged.  We have a responsibility to take care of the health of our citizens, especially those who do not have the means on their own.  We should not ever compromise the health of women and minorities by preventing access to medical services, not by over-regulation, not by budget cuts, and certainly not by making women's health a plaything of politicians!

Sincerely,

Eleanor K Hagerman, MPH