Building Codes and Reproductive Rights

     I chose this particular article to demonstrate the absurd lengths that some right-wing politicians will go to in order to restrict and potentially eliminate the reproductive rights of women in this country. As of September 2012 Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli pressured the Virginia Board of Health to pass a specific set of building regulatory codes that could force many abortion clinics in the state to close their doors to the many women who have depended on their services for decades.

    

     The codes would were initially meant for the construction of new hospitals not abortion clinics, but McDonnell and Cuccinelli have argued that the bill should not provide exemptions for the clinics. The new regulations require minimum hallway widths, specific ventilations systems and covered entrances. Opponents of the regulations argue that new codes are not necessary for existing outpatient abortion clinics. Ironically, it just happens that the clinics in Virginia would not meet the newly implemented code requirements. Legislation dictates the clinics would have two years to comply with the new law. Due to the expense of such upgrades, many of the clinics, if not all of them would be subject to permanent closure.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/14/virginia-abortion-clinic-regulations