Dear Board of Health,

As a board certified ob/gyn physician who was born, raised, and practices here in the Commonwealth, the health and safety of women in our state is of the utmost importance to me. This is why I am imploring you to implement regulations that promote women's health and safety that are based on sound scientific evidence. I have a background in research (I completed a research fellowship after residency), and there is no scientific evidence to support women's health facilities that provide abortion being regulated like hospitals. This is true for facilities that provide either medical or surgical abortions. Regulations that require abortion facilities to meet hospital standards are burdensome and medically unnecessary. Please let medicine and science guide your decisions regarding regulation these facilities. Thank you.

Nicole C Rankins, MD, MPH