We do not want the horrors of Gosnell repeated in the state of Virginia.  Women who seek an abortion should be confident that they are getting quality care so they do not have medical complications such as infection, misuse of medication, etc.  Frequent assessments must be made to ensure that abortionists follow protocols to protect the dignity of the women they purport to serve.  The mental well-being of the patient must also be considered.

I recommend that the board:

1. Reinstate all of the health and safety measures the Board watered down during its last amendment process. 
2. Require all Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) inspections to verify that ultrasounds have been performed at least 24 hours prior to every abortion performed. 
3. Require annual inspections on abortion facilities instead of biennial. 
4. Remove the ability of the Commissioner to grant permanent variances.
5. Reinstate the definition of "first trimester" as being the first twelve weeks from conception, not "13 weeks and 6 days after last menstrual period." 
6. Reinstate the ability of the department to deny, suspend, or revoke the license to operate an abortion facility for violating "any provision of Article 1 (§ 32.1-123 et seq.) of Chapter 5 of Title 32.1."
7. Reinstate the requirement that the abortion facility ensures that it has removed all of the fetal body parts from inside of the female patient upon the performance of an abortion. 
8. Reinstate the requirement that abortion facilities report to OLC any incidents reported to the malpractice insurance carrier.
9. Reinstate the reasonable design and construction standards that provided for things such as hallways wide enough to carry patients out on stretchers in cases of emergency.

10. OLC inspections to verify that ultrasounds have been performed 24+ hours prior to an abortion.

11. Aborition facilities must provide information on post-abortion counseling to patients.

     Thank you for your consideration.  Please ensure the health and safety of all women.