Dear Board Members: Thank you for the opportunity to address this important and politically charged issue. As a physician, I always put the safety of my patients first. However , I tried to base my medical decisions on data. I will always support reasonable safety regulations but those that are based on actual data and demonstrated need based on past problems with safety. It is my understanding that most clinics performing abortions have had an excellent safety record and have complied with the current regulations. So why all of a sudden was there a push to increase regulations that require  enormous hurdles to overcome when in fact there was no safety need requiring such strict regulations. Were the decisions based on data from experience of the clinics and recommendations by professional experts or were they politically motivated. I believe as a Board member,you owe it to the citizens of Virginia to make sure that the decisions that are made can be defended on the basis of safety and not politics. I urge all of the Board members to carefully consider the motivations for this legislation. Thank you.  Kenneth Olshansky,M.D.