Board of Health,

Dear Members of the Board of Health,

Abortion center regulations are essential for the health and safety of Virginia women and must be maintained. Health department inspectors have uncovered hundreds of health and safety violations. These violations include improper hand washing procedures and blood splatter on instruments and examination tables and abortions on minors without documented informed consent. The most recent inspections revealed significant abuse as an abortion center recorded an incredibly high number of complications from attempted chemical abortions with RU-486. The abortion industry has fought regulation for years, yet repeatedly independent inspectors find serious deficiencies, even during announced inspections. Abortion centers are not able to self-regulate. Abortion is not healthcare because it ends lives instead of healing them. However, since abortion operates under the guise of healthcare abortion centers must adhere to the regulatory standards of other healthcare facilities. Simply, Virginia women deserve nothing less. Thank you for considering my perspective on this important matter.

In addition, when I go to my primary care physician, or any physician, for a regular office visit, their offices must be maintained to a certain medical standard and is verified by the State. This is for the protection of everyones health. Why should a "clinic" who performs a medical procedure have any less oversight" That just doesnt make sense. If the State Government is truly concerned about womens health and well-being, then these regulations will remain in effect. Again, thank you for considering my female perspective on this important matter. Susan Harris