Strong regulations are essential, a point proven yet again last week when The Washington Post reported the state Health Department suspended the license of a Fairfax abortion clinic after inspectors found egregious health and safety violations, documented in a stomach-turning 52-page inspection report.  During a two-day inspection, state health officials documented expired medication, sanitary procedure violations and the case of a bleeding patient rushed to the emergency room because the abortion clinic had no available sutures.

This abortion clinic closure by state health officials illustrates that the three-year-old regulations are working. These critical health and safety regulations must be maintained, not weakened. 

Further, the Fairfax clinic, American Women’s Services, is one of several owned by Dr. Steven Brigham, an infamous abortionist who was once charged with murder and who has had his medical license revoked or suspended in several states.  Even the National Abortion Federation has said Brigham’s “pattern of repeated and serious misconduct that poses a significant threat to patient safety…cannot be allowed to go unchecked in Virginia.”

The abortion industry that aids and abets the likes of Steven Brigham cannot be trusted to protect women’s safety without these strong regulations.

Abortion center regulations are essential for the health and safety of Virginia women and must be maintained, not weakened.  Abortion centers are not able to self-regulate. Abortion is not healthcare because it ends lives instead of healing them. However, since abortion operates under the guise of healthcare, abortion centers must adhere to the regulatory standards of other healthcare facilities. Simply, Virginia women deserve nothing less.”

Preserve the current vital health and safety regulations for Virginia's women; NO NOT water them down!