Va. to Regulate Abortion Clinics Like Hospitals

By Stephanie Samuel, Christian Post Reporter Friday, February 25, 2011

Virginia pro-life advocates are overjoyed at the passage of a legislation that allows the state's abortion clinics to be regulated like a hospital rather than a physician's office.

State pro-life advocates have been lobbying for the measure, approved by Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling on Thursday after a tied vote in the state Senate, for nearly two decades. This week, the Virginia General Assembly finally delivered. Pro-life advocates say the regulations are a step in the right direction.

Victoria Cobb, president of The Family Foundation of Virginia, praised, "After more than two decades, with today's vote Virginia's abortion centers will no longer be able to hide behind a veil of politically motivated secrecy."

The Virginia Society for Human life said the bill is "an important safety and health protection legislation for the women of Virginia."

The bill was passed after youth-led pro-life group Live Action uncovered abortion practitioners covering up prostitution and Pennsylvania abortionist Kermit Gosnell was found killing infants in a filthy clinic.

"Cases such as these clearly show why it is critical that regulations be placed on abortionists in the Commonwealth. The lives and safety of women are at clearly stake." said VSHL President Olivia Gans.

Under the newly passed legislation, any clinic or physician's office performing five or more first-trimester abortions a month would be classified as a hospital.

The new determination means that clinics will be subject to special regulations established by the state Board of Health. The regulations may mean changes to the clinics' floor plans as well as their staff.

Cobb said the Family Foundation of Virginia will be working with Board of Health to ensure that the regulations guarantee abortion centers are safe for the women who "make the unfortunate choice of abortion."

NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia, meanwhile, called the bill "a shameful level of political interference in the doctor-patient relationship."

The 15-member board includes 10 members appointed by former Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, a Democrat, and four members appointed by McDonnell, a Republican. One seat is vacant and will likely be filled by the state's current Republican governor.

Gov. Robert F. McDonnell is expected to sign the bill into law. The state's Board of Health will have 280 days from the law's enactment to write new rules for clinics performing at least five first-trimester abortions a month.