I am a Virginian who has defended the rights of women throughout my lifetime.  I defend my sisters' rights to speak out against abortion as vigorously as I defend my own right to choose what is best for me. Arguments to keep the government out of my private health care decisions are easy to make.

Writing this appeal to the Board of Health, however, is not at all easy for me.  I have delayed and delayed hoping I might be inspired to say something positive and motivating to bring common sense to this issue.

Why would a prestigious board gathered to honor the dictates of good science, be supportive of regulations that have nothing to do with health care or science?  Have politics reached so far into our system as to blind those members of the board to their higher science-based calling? Clearly, the extensive, burdensome requirements proposed for clinic buildings have nothing to do with the services these health centers provide.  They have absolutely no proven medical benefit, but they will reduce and in some cases totally eliminate patient access to health care. 

Please amend the proposed regulations to be based purely on medicine and science and not to arbitrarily impede women's access to essential health care.

Thank you for your public service.