Before depriving a significant proportion of women of their health care options, there must be proof that the changes improve the outcomes for users of the service, or that they prevent documented harm.

Changes made to the regulations for Women's Health Clinics last year were politically motivated and did not fulfill either of those requirements, and, indeed, had no relation to reality. The end result was that women's access to inexpensive healthcare was abruptly limited due to the religious objections of legislators and not for any actual detriment found in those facilities. In point of fact, no research was done and no facilities were inspected to provide any basis for the regulation changes.

Despite my perception that those leading this vote in the previous legislative session would prefer that a woman's role reverts to one of chattel, the women of this Commonwealth know otherwise and deserve to have their needs addressed with facts, logic and respect. Antiquated religious ideas have no place in our society.