Videos Discuss Va. Board of Health Decision on Abortion Clinic Rules

September 21, 2012 — Our weekly video roundup includes a unique assortment of Web videos hand-picked by our editors. This week, we feature responses to the Virginia Board of Health's vote on new regulations for abortion clinics.

On MSNBC, Rachel Maddow spoke with Virginia Del. Charniele Herring (D), chair of the House Reproductive Health Caucus, about the board's approval of new rules that require all abortion clinics to be regulated as hospitals, reversing its previous decision to exempt existing clinics. Although supporters of the regulations have said the goal is ensuring patient safety, Herring said "it's very clear that they're trying to close clinics" by enacting standards that are too difficult and expensive for them to follow (Maddow, "The Rachel Maddow Show," MSNBC, 9/14).



A local TV station, NBC 4 in Washington, D.C., spoke with Rosemary Codding of the Falls Church Healthcare Center about how the new regulations could affect the facility, which offers abortion care and other gynecological services. The new requirements -- such as sizes of janitor's closets and the number of parking spaces -- are not medically necessary, she said, adding that trying to comply could put the center out of business (Ward, NBC 4, 9/14).