Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Virginia Department of Health
 
Board
State Board of Health
 
chapter
Regulations for Licensure of Abortion Facilities [12 VAC 5 ‑ 412]
Action Amend the Regulation after Assessment and Receipt of Public Comment
Stage NOIRA
Comment Period Ended on 7/10/2019
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7/2/19  11:08 pm
Commenter: Patricia Logue

Make Abortion Safe - Good Intentions, Bad Consequences
 

When Tom Ridge was Governor of Pennsylvania he weakened oversight on abortion providers with the good intention of keeping services available for low-income women.  He was a good Governor and did this with good intent.  During his tenure Kermit Gosnell, escaped scrutiny by State authorities.  Read the book about the things that happened in his practice and you will understand why oversight is important to protect women.  Infection control needs to be hospital level standard.  The instruments used in abortion procedures penetrate a woman's  internal organs and contact delicate tissue.  The procedure can be more invasive than a colonoscopy when performed after the first trimester. 

In 1973 when Roe v Wade was decided, public support came from the following assumption:  "Abortions will always be available, but when they are illegal they are unregulated and therefore unsafe, forcing women to work with criminals who extort a high price for a dangerous service. Making abortion legal will make abortion safer and more affordable."   If there is not going to be adequate oversight, abortions may as well be illegal.  

Read the book about Kermit Gosnell before you start writing your regulations.

Abortion providers have a powerful incentive to perform abortions that did not exist in 1973 - the sale of fetal tissue for medical research and use.  That's why it is in their interest to "keep it simple" and keep their costs down by keeping regulations minimal.

It may as well be 1972 again unless regulations are put in place that will keep women safe from the significant health risks that can be associated with the procedure.

CommentID: 72822