Board of Health,

The regulations in place are essential to the safety of women in Virginia. The violations revealed prior to the passing of our existing regulations show that Virginias abortion industry had gone unregulated for too long and there was a serious need for regulations of abortion facilities in the state. This serious need continues to remain today. Women who make the decision to have an abortion should be able to have it done in an environment that meets basic health and safety standards, is clean, and where the staff is trained. These health and safety standards simply ensure that abortion centers meet common sense standards of care to ensure womens health is paramount. Gerald and Dawn Norris