The League of Women Voters of Virginia-- strongly backs amendment of the current regulations applying to women's health centers. These regulations were not medically necessary for women's health; they were designed specifically to close several of these needed facilities.  In its wisdom, the current Board of Health has opted to ease the shockingly restrictive regulations, making changes to allow many Virginia women continuing access to vital care.  We are very glad of these proposed changes, and we extend our relieved thanks to those who have allowed a turnaround to reach this stage.

The League has championed choices for women since our inception.  Our organization was founded by leaders of the Woman Suffrage movement-- in 1920-- when the Constitution was amended to allow women to vote.  Our early leaders knew how prone some citizens were. . . to deny autonomy to women.  Thus from our beginning, the League of Women Voters championed laws and regulations promoting health, safety and expanded opportunities for all citizens-- especially those who were traditionally kept on the fringes of society, including women. Paternalistic platitudes were often used in such cases, likening women and the poor to children, who do not understand what is best for them.  The Board of Health regulations, referred to in this current situation, were aimed at closing clinics for women-- a good example of that kind of "help." 

It is a cause of regret that Virginia allows non-medical considerations to override the health and safety of a large number of our citizens-- the women of our Commonwealth.  Women have worked side by side with their brothers, husbands and sons to build the society we live in-- often against greater odds than the men they worked with and cared for. That women of today should lose ground in their struggle to be treated as equals-- and to access health services they choose-- is wrong.  Yet the previous Board of Health regulations under discussion were designed to restrict options for women-- especially those lacking resources to travel beyond their home areas to access health care. 

Thanks are owed to the current Board of Health members-- and others-- who have championed the proposed amendments.  The League of Women Voters of Virginia stands solidly behind these proposed changes.