To Whom it May Concern, I am very troubled by the blatantly, politically motivated regulations that are being proposed for health centers that provide abortion services. These regulations do nothing to create a "safer" environment for women, but instead only make it harder for women and couples to access critical reproductive health care services, including life-saving cancer screenings, family planning, STI testing and treatment, and continued safe, legal abortion care.

Additionally, I am very concerned that the health clinics that are being targeted have a higher cliental of lower income persons and those without health insurance. In a time when the unemployment rate is so very high, creating health care barriers - for no medical reason - for those in need, seems irresponsible... and honestly, very cruel.

A medical expert panel of statewide OBGYNs recommended differentiating medical and surgical abortion in relation to the regulations as well as grandfathering in the existing clinics for the architectural requirements. We suggest we go with these original recommendations that are medically appropriate for first trimester abortion care.

As a long-time, tax-paying resident of the Commonwealth, I ask that you please continue hosting public hearings throughout the permanent regulatory process so your constituents voices can be heard. 

As you are making your desicion, remember this is about women and individual rights NOT party politics and religion. Use this opportunity to show that as our leader, you can smartly and rightly distinguish between the two.

Sincerely, Jennifer Miller