Virginia health board guts abortion center regulations

Virginia’s Board of Health voted yesterday to modify abortion facility licensing regulations passed two years ago, including a requirement that the facilities meet the architectural standards of new hospitals. The regulation would have closed several abortion facilities in the state due to their inability to comply.

On Thursday, the board voted 13-2 in favor of amending the regulations, a process that could take two years. Though the Health Department can’t repeal the regulations originally passed by the state legislature in 2011 and finalized by the Board of Health in 2013, its modifications likely will render them useless, said Cheryl Sullenger, Operation Rescue’s senior policy advisor.

The regulation’s advocates, like Victoria Cobb, president of Virginia’s Family Foundation, said the construction requirement would improve facility safety. Opponents argued it limited women’s rights and would close facilities, Reuters reported. When the law passed in 2012, 20 abortion facilities operated in Virginia. Two have since closed.

Cobb said Thursday’s regulation review reflects Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s loyalty to pro-abortion supporters who donated $2 million to his campaign. Since his term began in January, McAuliffe has revamped the state’s Board of Health with members who share his pro-abortion views, including Health Commissioner Marissa Levine.

As abortion facilities realized their inability to comply with the construction regulations, several applied for variances, while one of the facilities, Falls Church Medical Center, challenged the law in court. Levine already granted 12 of the 13 requests for variances before Thursday’s vote.

But reviews of abortion facilities in the state indicate they need more regulatory oversight.

“At the end of the day, the law requires that there be abortion center health and safety standards that include construction requirements,” Cobb said. “Regardless of Governor McAuliffe’s wish, the Board of Health must follow the law. The fact that over 400 health and safety violations have already been found makes it clear that these standards are necessary.”