Board of Health,

My friend had a surgical abortion early in 2014. When she returned for her follow-up appointment, it was discovered that she was still pregnant and that the doctor had pushed the instrument through her uterus. She had to go to the emergency room, where it was thought she may have to have surgery or a hysterectomy. Thankfully, neither was necessary but she had to have a chemical abortion to remove the dead fetus. She was scared and doesnt know if her uterus will ever be strong enough to hold a child if she becomes pregnant in the future.

Dear Members of the Board of Health,

The decision to issue a NOIRA on the abortion center regulations at your December 4, 2014 meeting is premature and unnecessary. The strongest possible abortion center regulations are essential for the health and safety of Virginia women and must be maintained. Health department inspectors have uncovered hundreds of health and safety violations. These violations include improper hand washing procedures and blood splatter on instruments and examination tables and abortions on minors without documented informed consent. Recent inspections also revealed significant abuse as an abortion center recorded an incredibly high number of complications from attempted chemical abortions with RU-486. The abortion industry has fought regulation for years, yet repeatedly independent inspectors find serious deficiencies, even during announced inspections. Abortion centers are not able to self-regulate. Abortion is not healthcare because it ends lives instead of healing them. However, since abortion operates within the healthcare system, abortion centers must adhere to the regulatory standards of other healthcare facilities. Simply, Virginia women deserve nothing less. Thank you for considering my perspective on this important matter.

Regardless of how any of us feel about the morals and ethics of abortion, whether chemical or surgical, abortion centers need to be regulated and held accountable for the work they do. My friend was injured, she was unable to work for a month, and her future fertility is now compromised. This is unacceptable. Please be pro-woman and keep Virginia women safe if they choose abortion. These clinics absolutely need to be regulated. I hope you take my friends story to heart, and know that she is not the only one who has a story of pain and suffering because of the abortion industry. Jessica