I'm writing today to ask you to consider the long-range implications of the regulations being imposed on women's health centers in the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

Women in the Commonwealth deserve, and require access to reproductive health care, including, but not limited to, abortion. They deserve honesty, and compassion, and safety when they seek that care. There is no evidence to suggest that the services that have been provided in the Commonwealth to date have not met those standards.

Women will not be safer because a mandatory temperature has been designated for patient care rooms. Women will not be safer because the doorways have been widened. Women will not be safer because someone from the Department of Health can, but won't necessarily visit, a clinic whenever they see fit. Women will not be safer because politically motivated restrictions have been put into place. 

In fact, if these regulations become permanent, women may actually become less safe, by virture of the fact that these regulations are burdensome to clinics that have been in operation for years. These clinics, which have been operating with a high standard of care, will likely close, leaving a void in a community. 

Make no mistake, that void will be filled. And it is likely to be filled by a provider who is less than honest, less than capable, and less than safe.

Thank you for your time and consideration on this important matter.

Sincerely,

Tannis M. Fuller