The decision to relax the abortion center regulations embodied in 12 VAC 5-412 is premature and dangerous.  During the short time the regulations have been in place, the Virginia Health Department inspectors uncovered hundreds of health and safety violations.  These violations included improper hand washing procedures, blood on instruments and examination tables, and abortions conducted 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.  It is very apparent that abortion centers are not able to self-regulate.  Since abortion centers operate within the health care system, they must adhere to the regulatory standards of healthcare facilities.  Women deserve nothing less.  I urge you to protect women by refusing to relax any of the restrictions embodied in 12 VAC 5-412 and the 2010 Guidelines for Design and Construction for Health Care Facilities. 

Thank you for considering my position on this important matter.

John Cochran