Relaxing the standards (12 VAC 5-412) that now holds an abortion clinic to the same standards as a health care facility is a dangerous precedent that could endanger a women’s health. The restrictions placed upon abortion providers by the previous administration (12 VAC 5-412) have done much to protect women from poor medical procedures and sanitary conditions.

I urge you to maintain the high medical standards imposed by the Regulations for the Licensure of Abortion Facilities (12 VAC 5-412) along with all the 2010 Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities. The relaxation of the aforementioned laws and regulations are harmful because abortion clinics will no longer be held to hospital grade medical standards. Relaxing such medical and construction regulations will expose women to the increased possibility of infection, injury, and even death. Please act to protect Virginia’s women by refusing to relax the requirements imposed by 12 VAC 5-412.

Phil Kennedy

2800 Ringgold Court

Woodbridge, VA 22192