Get it right

I am disturbed that the regulatory process was not followed when promulgating the permanent regulations. Not only were the physician panel draft re written by non-medical folks but where were the stakeholders participation?  Where were the studies on impact on small business?  And what a travesty to assess that “The proposed regulatory action will not have any impact on the institution of the family and family stability.”  Administrative code requires VDH  to assess potential impact of the proposed regulatory action on the institution of the family and family stability including to what extent the regulatory action would  1) strengthen or erode the authority and rights of parents in the education, nurturing, and supervision of their children; 2) encourage or discourage economic self-sufficiency, self-pride, and the assumption of responsibility for oneself, one’s spouse, and one’s children and/or elderly parents; 3) strengthen or erode the marital commitment; and 4) increase or decrease disposable family income. Your due diligence to answer these questions was summarily dismissed with the answer " The proposed regulatory action will not have any impact on the institution of the family and family stability.”   Families who struggle to make ends meet, whose contraception failed them, who struggle with parenting or childbearing or an emergency pregnancy or facing a divorce will disagree with your dismissal. To pretend that taking away a safe, legal health service option in their doctor’s office would not impact the family is lubricious.  I support portions of these regulations that deal with quality care and minimum requirements for licensure but so much of the proposed regulations are not MINIMAL as required by the Senate bill or medically based, I urge you to conduct a proper assessment of impact to the family as should have been done initially. To look at the impact on small business. To talk to the stakeholders: women and their families, doctors’ offices that provide abortioncare. Then amend the regulations to insure access, support small business medical services and remove stringent building requirements.

A concerned grandfather knowing what family really is.