Cooch Watch 2012

Last night 13 clinics were shut down in Texas with no notice because of a law there requiring clinics to conform to hospital building standards. Some women will have to drive over 350 miles to get to an abortion clinic. If they can manage that, of course. Is this the way Virginia is headed?

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/10/03/3575477/court-ruling-texas-asc/

Court Ruling Devastates Texas’ Abortion Clinic Infrastructure "What we have been fearing is now official: Texas faces a health care crisis, brought on by its own legislators."

In case everyone didn't hear, once again the fate of every Virginian's access to abortion is being tossed around in the air like the proverbial political football. The question is: Whose side will have the most bullies on The Board of Health come December when these illustrious political appointees come to meet and decide our fates?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/01/virginia-health-commissio_0_n_5915932.html

State Official Decides To Change Harsh Abortion Clinic Regulations Virginia Health Commissioner Dr. Marissa Levine announced her decision on Wednesday that the state's tough restrictions on abortion clinics should be amended, in the latest development in an ongoing battle over abortion access. The regulations req...

The public is waking up to the deceptive nature of TRAP across the country. Courts are stepping up. But so much damage has already been done.
"The ruling blocks a portion of the that law would have required abortion facilities in Texas to meet hospital-level operating standards, which supporters say will protect women's health. But [Judge] Yeakel concluded the intent was only to 'close existing licensed abortion clinics.'"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/29/judge-blocks-texas-abortion-law_n_5739164.html

Federal Judge Blocks Harsh Texas Abortion Restricitions AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A federal judge Friday threw out new Texas abortion restrictions that would have effectively closed more than a dozen clinics statewide in a victory for opponents of tough new anti-abortion laws sweeping across the U.S. U....

Good Morning! It’s been a while since we here at Cooch Watch really checked in with you all. You may remember that our group started in defiance of Ken Cuccinelli’s blatant attack on abortion access in our Commonwealth. In the years since our formation, we, with all of your help and support, fought hard against his deceptive claims that new laws governing abortion clinics were for “women’s safety.” It’s not always easy to fight a propaganda war with such a seemingly genuine intent, but through many blog/facebook posts and face to face confrontations, we managed to debunk the lie that Ken Cuccinelli and Virginia Republicans cared about women.

Cuccinelli lost his bid for Governor. He lost because he was shown in the light of day to be an ideologue that would do anything in his power to end abortion access in Virginia.

The power of this victory can not be over looked. Neither can the fact that the regulations that The Cooch and his buddy McDonnell worked so hard to put into place to shut down clinics STILL STAND. The regulations created to be THE WORST and most STRICT building guidelines in the country are still in effect and moving forward. The damage is done. Governor McAuliffe has called for the Board of Health to review and possibly rescind or rewrite them. The Board of Health is still stacked with cronies appointed by Governor McUltrasound. THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER.
Please stay with us over the next few days and weeks as we bring you up to date on what is happening RIGHT NOW in Virginia and how YOU CAN HELP.
Together we made a huge difference in the past, and together we can change our future. The power is in everyday people’s hands…..in your voices and in your presence.
More to come!

Hi Folks. We are in the middle of revamping some stuff so don't be alarmed if you don't see a description or website, etc. We are getting it all together!

6 days left to submit your public comment! Over 1600 comments submitted thus far, a lot of which are complete non-sense...

Virginia Regulatory Town Hall List Comments Virginia Regulatory Town Hall List Comments

Remember yesterday when the Supreme Court crapped all over the safety and protection of women entering abortion clinics? Take two minutes this weekend and write your public comment to repeal TRAP in VA.

Link to submit comment: http://townhall.virginia.gov/L/comments.cfm?periodicreviewid=1316

Our sister organization, VA NOW - Virginia National Organization for Women, has put together a page with links to the comment page, as well as documents summing up the Board meeting on June 5th and talking points to help you craft your message. Check it out below--

VaNOW in Action - Virginia NOW Current elections/candidates and VaNOW activity concerning women in Virginia and progressive issues.

Remember 1973, when you all ruled in favor of abortion access during Roe. vs. Wade? Harassment under the guise of religious speech freedom continues to prove totally acceptable by the people who are supposed to be judicial experts and leaders........

"The Supreme Court unanimously struck down Massachusetts’ abortion buffer zone law on Thursday, ruling in favor of anti-choice protesters who argued that being required to stay 35 feet away from clinic entrances is a violation of their freedom of speech. The decision rolls back a proactive policy intended to safeguard women’s access to reproductive health care in the face of persistent harassment and intimidation from abortion opponents."

The Supreme Court Just Made It Harder For Women To Exercise Their Right To Choose The justices struck down a Massachusetts policy intended to ensure that women can safely enter abortion clinics.

Happy Wednesday Cooch Watchers!
Photo from: AbortStigma

Precisely.

Image via AbortStigma

TRAP public comment period begins June 16th and ends on July 31st. Help our clinics by speaking your mind! Comments may be submitted online to the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall at: http://www.townhall.virginia.gov/L/Forums.cfm

Or sent to: Erik Bodin, Director, VDH Office of Licensure and Certification, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 401, Henrico, Virginia, 23233
Telephone: 804-367-2102
Email: [email protected]

Comments must include the commenter's name and address (physical or email) to receive a response. Following the close of the public comment period, a report of both reviews will be posted on the Town Hall.

Virginia Regulatory Town Hall - Public comment forums Virginia Regulatory Town Hall Open Forums

Coverage from the Board of Health today! We were there to show support for clinic regulation revision, even though no vote or action actually occurred. Here's what we noted:

18 clinics in Virginia are currently licensed and are undergoing review. 25 clinic complaints were listed since the last BOH meeting, 19 of which were unsubstantiated (hmm, anti phone bank night??). All clinics are currently in compliance with regulations, and three have already had their inspections this year.

Public comment was only 20 minutes long. 5 people spoke from the pro-choice side: ACLU of Virginia, Planned Parenthood, Alliance for Progressive Values, Richmond NOW (National Organization for Women), and independent clinic provider Shelley Abrams. 5 comments were from anti-choice orgs such as the Family Foundation, Virginian's for Life (?), and Catholics for Life (?).

All in all, we left very hopeful that the new Board appointments are actually listening.

Board must decide what to do about new rules for Virginia abortion clinics Nearly 100 supporters and opponents of the abortion regulations were on hand Thursday for the Virginia Board of Health meeting.