Planned Parenthood pleased with decision to amend TRAP restrictions

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia lauded today’s announcement by Virginia Health Commission Dr. Marissa Levine to move forward with amending Virginia’s Targeted Restrictions for Abortion Providers (TRAP) as marking an important step in rolling back dangerous restrictions on women’s health providers.

Planned Parenthood operates seven health centers across the Commonwealth, which provide comprehensive reproductive health care services to thousands of women, men, and families each year.

“Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia is pleased with Dr. Levine’s decision to move forward with amending Virginia’s TRAP restrictions. This would not have been possible without Governor McAuliffe’s commitment to protecting women’s health and leadership in starting the regulatory review process” said Cianti Stewart-Reid, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia Executive Director.

The Commissioner’s announcement marks the conclusion of a periodic review of the regulations ordered in May by Governor McAuliffe, who expressed concern that the restrictions would jeopardize women’s health in the Commonwealth.  Commissioner Levine had until October 1 to decide whether to rescind and repeal, amend, or uphold the regulations. A Notice of Intended Regulatory Action (NOIRA) will now head to Board of Health members for a vote in December. The Board will decide whether to accept the Commissioner’s recommendation and begin the process of amending the current restrictions.

“We look forward to working with the Board of Health in amending Virginia’s TRAP restrictions to reflect medicine and evidence-based protocols,” said Stewart-Reid. “As a trusted health care provider, this is an important first step in righting a wrong. As we move forward with the regulatory process, Planned Parenthood health centers across Virginia will continue to be here to serve our patients-no matter what.”

Each year, Planned Parenthood health centers serve more than 23,000 patients and provide basic preventive care like birth control, life-saving cancer screenings, STD testing and treatment and safe legal abortion.