Board of Health,

I am at a loss to understand why the Virginia Board of Health would even consider reducing health and safety standards in abortion clinics. It is certainly disheartening and degrading to women that the board does not believe that womens health and safety need to be safeguarded as in any other medical center. Have the abuses of "Dr." Kermit Gosnells filthy and unsafe abortion clinic in Philadelphia not horrified the board" There, government officials turned a blind eye to the condition of Gosnells clinic for "political" reasons--that is, access to abortion was so much more important than the women who were undergoing it. And now, that is what the board is contemplating in Virginia. To abortion advocates, access to abortion, whatever the cost or consequence to womens health, is what really matters. It makes their claim that they are all about "womens health" a cruel sham. The Board of Health must not accept that looser health and safety standards will enhance the abortion experience. More information for women preparing to undergo abortion and stricter standards for abortion facilities are absolutely critical and should always take precedence over political sloganeering. I urge the Board of Health to show respect for these vulnerable women by retaining strong abortion clinic regulations. Diane Britton