October 2, 2014
Mariah Timms
News Writer
Virginia News
Virginia Health Commissioner Marissa Levine recommended Wednesday that the commonwealth should overhaul its strict regulations on many abortion clinics by classifying them as hospitals, which have different requirements. The law passed by Gov. McAuliffe in 2013 ruled that any facility that performs five or more abortions a month is effectively a hospital, and must meet those building code standards. Typically small facilities, this rule has grandfathered in existing clinics, imposing on them the need to make costly renovations including widening hallways and adding parking spaces. Critics of the law feel these rules are intended to close the clinics and block access to legal abortions in Virginia. There are currently 18 abortion clinics in Virginia, and if the laws do not change many of them may be forced to close. Levine’s letter advises amending the construction does and revising rules to better meet state code, as well as clarifying the regulations regarding the cases that require parental consent. All sides claim to be working for the safety of patients and access for emergency personnel.
