I am very concerned that the proposed regulations implementing Senate Bill 924 relating to clinics and health centers that provide a full range of services to women, including abortion services, would jeopardize the confidentiality of patients.  The requirement that the clinics provide patient records without the ability to redact personal information is unaccceptable, especially in a situation where there is no guaranty that the records would be maintained with the full scope of confidentiality protections that should be accorded under HIPPA and the commonly accepted doctor-patient confidentiality.  Women who are undergoing a legal medical procedure have the right to expect that their medical records will be kept confidential. 

In addition, the regulations should allow the maximum flexibility in meeting the requirements related to the facilities in which these clinics operate.  Placing burdensome requirements will increase the cost of health care and make it difficult for some women to have access to the full range of services.