I am writing in opposition to forcing Virginia abortion providers to comply with burdensome guidelines designed for new construction health centers.

I am a Virginina attorney and public health professional. I have also worked as a counselor and patient educator in an existing clinic that will be closed if these regulations take effect. I can attest that our clinic provided a neccessary service to the women of our Commonwealth: safe, legal first-trimester abortion care. 

These burdensome requirements for clinic buildings are unrelated to the services that abortion care health centers provide have no proven medical benefit. They serve only to reduce or eliminate patient access to care.

As a public health professional, I am not anti-regulation. However, it is imperative both for the health of patients and public trust in the regulatory process that such government oversight be based only upon evidence-based medical practices and not political ideology.

Virginia's clinics have demonstrated an impressive safety record under the current regulatory scheme. It is my expectation that the regulations will be amended to be based on public health considerations and not to intentionally  and unnecessarily impede women's access to essential health care.

Sincerely yours,

Rebecca Spence, JD, MPH