The Virginia Department of Health has released temporary/emergency regulations as a result of a new law passed this year that requires abortion clinics to meet many hospital-level standards. Abortionists anticipate that over half of the state's abortion clinics will be forced to close due to their unwillingness to make the financial commitment to comply.
For background, read Virginia Abortion Clinics Likely to Close
UPDATE 1/2/13: Gov. Bob McDonnell signs off on permanent regulations that will hold abortion clinics to the same building standards as hospitals
UPDATE 9/16/12: Bureaucrats try to exempt abortion clinics from new law, but administration forbids attempt to negate law
-- From "Va. Health Dept. announces abortion clinic regs" by Larry O'Dell, Associated Press 8/26/11
The department released the proposed temporary emergency regulations late Friday afternoon. The State Board of Health will vote on the regulations Sept. 15, and they will remain in place while permanent ones are drafted under the state's normal regulatory process.
The General Assembly last winter passed legislation requiring that all clinics performing at least five first-trimester abortions per month be regulated like hospitals. Supporters of the regulations say the goal is ensuring safety. Opponents argue that abortion opponents and elected officials who have pushed for the regulations are trying to put clinics out of business.
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From "Draft rules hold abortion clinics to tougher standards" by Julian Walker, The Virginian-Pilot 8/27/11
Abortion-rights advocates said their worst fears were confirmed when they discovered that clinics could be held to what they consider onerous hospital architectural standards under proposed regulations released Friday by state health officials.
Planned Parenthood lobbyist Jessica Honke expressed disappointment after her initial review of the draft regulations, saying, "The Board of Health apparently ignored sound science and drafted regulations designed to limit access to safe, legal abortion services."
But social conservatives who favor limiting abortions see the regulations as a way to better ensure the safety of abortion procedures at clinics, which haven't been regulated for licensure in this way since previous standards were repealed in 1983.
Clinics in Virginia are currently treated like other physicians' offices where outpatient procedures such as cosmetic surgery are performed.
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From "Va. releases draft of rules for abortion clinics" by Olympia Meola, Richmond Times Dispatch 8/27/11
The new rules follow an amended Republican-backed bill, Senate Bill 924, which narrowly passed the General Assembly this year on a tie-breaking vote cast by Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling.
[Family] Foundation President Victoria Cobb had said in a statement Thursday, "While the abortion industry alleges that regulations will close down clinics, Virginians understand that Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest private abortion provider, is a $1 billion business.
"They have the money to ensure that their abortion centers are safe for women, now they'll have to decide whether they want to spend their money on women's safety or continue spending it on trying to get pro-abortion politicians elected."
If a majority of the board approves the regulations, the rules will be subject to executive review by the attorney general, the secretary of health and human services, the Department of Planning and Budget, and the governor. Board members also have the option of approving the regulations conditioned upon making certain changes.
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Also read, Pro-life Legislation Floods America
