Board of Health,

This message is in opposition to loosening the health and safety standards for abortion centers that were adopted two years ago.In the two years since those standards were adopted inspections have discovered many instances of unsafe practice, the lack of appropriate life-saving equipment, failure to report possible child abuse, and violations of the Commonwealths parental consent laws. The unsafe practice included numerous instances of unsterile equipment. It is astonishing that anyone who purports to care for womens health would want to loosen these standards.Virginia should lead the way in requiring excellent health practice for the health of those who choose to have an abortion. Glen D. McLaughlin