In-Depth Inspections Due for Abortion Clinics

By Broadside News Editor Asma Chaudhary

According to a recent vote of 60-37 by the House of Delegates, health care clinics that provide abortion and pro-choice services must meet the same standards as other out-patient facilities. As a result of the vote, the state requires numerous in-depth inspections for health care clinics. These inspections serve to provide more regulation on the services so that the medical practices are addressed as seriously as other surgeries in hospitals.

Another house bill, HB 894, states that medical facilities are required to meet the standards of ambulatory surgery centers when providing more than 25 abortions in a single year. Laura Ann Litalien, president of Students for Life, an organization on campus that focuses on equal protection for unborn children as well as promoting other alternatives to abortion, discussed how the recent measures are promoting legitimacy.

“These businesses are facilitating convenience for women who have not been offered any options other than abortion," said Litalien. "They should be required to meet the same health standards as legitimate surgical centers in order to protect their patients, even if their patients came in for an abortion."

“Any regulations on abortion facilities are steps in the right direction," Litalien added.

The recent vote may be a topic for debate, as the Students for Life will meet for an open forum on March 3 in the JC Cinema at 7 p.m. The organization encourages all Mason students to attend in order to learn more about their message and the community.

Students involved with Pro-Choice Patriots, including vice president Monica Johnson, also agree with the new measures and hope to educate others about medical procedures.

In addition to preparing for the popular spring event, Sextravaganza, the Pro-Choice Patriots hope to recruit new members at their first meeting on Feb. 6 at 8 p.m.

“Abortion is, after all, a surgical procedure, and the health of the woman receiving the abortion should be the top priority, just like it would be for any other operation," Johnson said.