It's startling to me just how many people writing on this forum assume that clinics, such as Planned Parenthood, do nothing more than offer abortion services.  While it is true that that is one component, they offer a wide and varied list of medical and health services to BOTH women and men.  The issue boils down to this: would these same commenters be as offended with the old restrictions if abortion were taken off the table?  

I doubt that many people have read through these restrictions and really given much thought to what the proposed new regulations do and why.  Essentially, these mandates make all clinics performing abortions meet NEW HOSPITAL codes for compliance.  One of the most cost prohibitive elements to the new regulations is the size of the hallways.  Even old hospitals don't need to change that or follow any of the regulations; they are grandfathered in.  Are the commenters who are concerned for women's health then worried about existing hospital standards and their own health, too?  I think not, because abortion clinics are the only clinic/existing hospital required to meet those standards.  If these regulations go into effect, what will happen is that clinics performing safe (and legal) abortions, along with many other health related services, will be forced to shut their doors.  This will leave women (and men) in VA without affordable health services.  

While I certainly respect people (ALL people) from both sides of the abortion issue, let's be honest.  The regulations enacted by Cuccinelli were for the sole purpose of shutting tight the doors to abortion clinics, which are safe and legal and regulated now.  Regardless of your personal stance on abortion, this will do little to detere a desperate woman from seeking an abortion legally or illegally.  We will be pushing some of our most vulnerable demographic into seedy, filthy, unregulate, and highly questionable 'back alley' places to get abortions.  Just read about life before Roe v Wade.

Please overturn these regulations which are clearly designed to end legal abortion in Virginia.  Keep all woman's health care affordable and safe.