Abortion center regulations are essential for the heath and safety of Virginia women and must be maintained, not weakened.  The abortion industry has fought regulation for years, yet repeatedly independent inspectors find serious deficiencies even during announced inspections.  Abortion centers are not able to self-regulate.  Abortion is not healthcare because it ends lives instead of healing them.  However since abortion operates under the guise of healthcare, abortion centers must adhere to the regulatory standards of other healthare facilities.  Virginia women deserve nothing less.

Please reinstate all the health and safety measures the Board watered down during its last amendment process.  Require all (OLC) inspectiions to verify that ultrasounds have been performed at least 24 hours prior to every abortion.  Require annual inspections on abortion facilities instead of bienial.  Remove ability of Commissioner to grant permanent variences.  Reinstate the definition of first trimester as being the first twelve weeks from conception, not 13 weeks and 6 days after last menstrual period.  Reinstate the requirement that the abortion facilities report to OLC any incidents reported to the malpractice insurance carrier.  Reinstate the requirement that the abortion facility ensures that it has removed all the fetal body parts from inside of the female patient upon the performance of an abortion. Reinstate the ability of the department to deny, suspend or revoke the license to operate an abortion facility for violating any provision of Article 1 (32.1-123 et seq.) of Chapter 5 of Title 21.1.  

Thank you for your consideration.  Please ensure the health and safety of all women.