Board of Health,

Within the short time of two years, inspections at abortion centers have uncovered a host of inexcusable health and safety violations such as blood splattered exam tables and equipment, unsterilized needles, incomplete lifesaving equipment, violations of Virginia parental consent laws, an absence of reporting of possible cases of child abuse, and many more beyond the scope of my writing to you. The standards are simply common sense and are needed to protect women who make the decision to have an abortion, in that they should know it is being done in an environment that meets basic health and safety standards, is clean, and where the staff is trained. Again, this is common sense, because these health and safety standards will ensure that the care that is provided at abortion centers maintains womens health as the top priority. Those in the abortion business make a claim that is not based on fact. They claim the abortion procedures done at these centers are safe, but 300 health and safety violations make it crystal clear that this is not the case. They have made false claims, and in doing so, have demonstrated that the abortion industry cannot be trusted on any of the standards, including those involving construction.There is a well documented case history of emergencies frequently taking place at abortion centers, and when they happen, emergency personnel must be able to get to patients in need quickly. Doing so involves having doorways and hallways wide enough to get emergency equipment to women in life threatening situations. Those at Planned Parenthood run a $1 billion business, and they certainly have the money to bring their abortion centers into compliance with these reasonable health and safety standards. It simply has to choose if it is going to spend it on womens health instead of political campaigns. If those at Planned Parenthood truly believe in womens health and safety, then here is an excellent opportunity for them to demonstrate that by maintaining compliance with these health and safety standards.Best regards! Jeffery A. Gehbauer