Dear Members of the VA Board of Health,

I understand that you are under immense political pressure to approve the regulations that will force the 20 clinics that perform first trimester abortions to upgrade their facilities to hospital like standards.  However, I implore you to put aside these pressures and do what is right for the Commonwealth's women by either eliminating them altogether or grandfathering in our existing institutions.

Singling out these out-patient facilities and not others is not in the best interest of women's health.  The rate of complications for these services is practically nil, so having hospital grade facilities is patently unnecessary. 

As the clinics themselves have stated, they are not in the financial position to make these changes, therefore effectively closing their doors.  Where is a woman to get a legal, safe first trimester abortion in Virginia then?

Most people enter the health field because they want to help people.  I hope that is one of your motivations as a member of this board. 

Thanks in advance for your consideration in this very important matter.

Regards,

Barbara Burgess