The proposed permanent regulations on women's health centers threaten not only the continued availability of safe, legal first-trimester abortion and preventive reproductive health care but also other preventive measures, such as cancer screenings.

The burdensome requirements for clinic buildings are unrelated to the services health centers provide, and they have no proven medical benefit.  They would only reduce or eliminate women's access to health care.  Moreover, they impose financial obstacles on patients, especially minorities and those with limited incomes, again for no good medical reasons.

Virginia's women need more access to health care services, not less.  The high standard of care already provided by women's health centers is proven by their impressive safety record.

I urge that  the regulations be amended so that they based entirely on medicial and scientific criteria. They should not impede women's access to essential health care.