Virginia Board of Health rolls back strict abortion clinic regulations

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Virginia Board of Health rolls back strict abortion clinic regulations

Virginia Politics

By Jenna Portnoy September 17 at 8:12 PM 

RICHMOND — The Virginia Board of Health voted Thursday evening to reverse hospital-style rules and building codes for abortion clinics, fulfilling a campaign promise of Gov. Terry McAuliffe and delivering a setback to abortion foes.

The amended regulations — if finalized — will no longer require the state’s existing abortion clinics to comply with the inpatient hospital code. Nor would the regulations mandate that the clinics have transfer agreements with hospitals or impose strict construction and design standards. However, future clinics will have to follow parts of the construction code.
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The changes undo rules ushered in four years ago under then-Gov. Robert F. McDonnell and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II, both Republicans.
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Four years ago, Virginia had 21 abortion clinics; today there are 18, and soon the number will be 17. The initial restrictions contributed to the closure of clinics in Fairfax and Norfolk and led a clinic in Hampton Roads to stop offering abortions. This week, a clinic in Manassas announced that it will close because of the owner’s retirement.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

1. Abortion provider in Manassas to close at end of month

Abortion provider in Manassas to close at end of month

By: Shannon Travis

Posted:Sep 16 2015 05:26PM EDT
Updated:Sep 17 2015 07:01PM EDT

MANASSAS, Va. - An abortion provider in Manassas is closing at the end of the month, and while the facility has seen its fair share of controversy, the owner said that is not why they are closing its doors.

The owner of the Amethyst Health Center for Women did not want to talk on camera and asked that her name not be used. But she told FOX 5 in a phone interview that providing abortion services to women in Virginia is a "sensitive area" and that people often harass the clinic.

As for why she is closing her business, she said she is retiring. ... "When you are in this line of work, you know, I have fought a battle for 27 years,” she said. “And I did it with love in my heart to help the women. But comes a time in life that you retire."

The Manassas clinic's closure will leave three abortion providers in northern Virginia. There are two in Falls Church and one in Alexandria.