It is vital that the Board leaves these regulations as they are.

Before the enactment of regulations in 2012, the Virginia abortion industry had gone unregulated for far too long. Department of Health inspections exposed extensive health and safety violations, including blood splattered exam tables and equipment, unsterilized equipment, poorly or untrained staff, violations of state parental consent laws, and the lack of reporting of possible cases of child sexual abuse, along with over 300 other violations. These violations reveal a severe need for regulations of these facilities in order to protect women who seek out abortions.

While concentrating on the construction standards included in the regulations, the media has almost completely ignored the blood stained and unsterilized equipment, along with all the other health and safety violations.  The construction standards are essential to improve access for emergency personnel and equipment when medical emergencies take place, but the rest of the standards are basic to any medical facility that puts its patients ahead of its profits.  

Recent information that has come to light about Virginia abortion center owner, Dr. Steven Brigham demonstrates the need for regulations. Brigham's license to practice medicine has been revoked in five states due to his complete disregard for the safety of women. The New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners revoked Brigham's license saying, "Dr. Brigham's continued practice would present clear and imminent danger to the public health, safety, and welfare." Virginia inspections discovered gaping holes in the ceiling of his abortion center, unsterilized needles, outrageously high complication rates, and incomplete lifesaving equipment.  If an abortion doctor like Steven Brigham may continue to operate two abortion centers here in Virginia, it is clear that the regulations must remain in place to protect the women of Virginia from Brigham's harmful practices.