I understand that the Virginia Board of Health is currently reviewing current regulations concerning abortion providers in our state. I request that during their review of the current regulations, the Board rely on proven, evidence-based medicine. There is not, and never has been, a medically justifiable reason for regulating abortion providers like hospitals. Instead, these restrictions were designed to shutter Virginia women’s health centers and keep women from accessing the comprehensive care these centers provide, including cancer screenings, birth control, and safe abortion. In addition, these restrictions violate a women’s constitutional right to access safe abortion under the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Whole Women’s Health v. Hellerstedt.  Throughout the upcoming review process, I request that the Board of Health heed the expertise of doctors, medical professionals and legal experts in voting to promulgate rules that protect women’s health centers from onerous, medically-unnecessary, and unconstitutional regulation.