Abortion clinics not being held to same standard as other medical providers
The development of state agency rules is often a mundane, unnoticed process. But that won’t be the case Aug. 16 when the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services will hold a public hearing on proposed rules pertaining to the licensure of abortion centers. The draft rules are commonsense requirements designed to keep women safe and ensure quality of care. These requirements are no different than those imposed on similar healthcare facilities.
I base my opinions on being a board-certified OB/GYN with over 30 years of experience both in private and group practice. I am familiar with the requirements and risks involved in performing abortions because I used to perform first and second-trimester abortions. I understand what is necessary to operate a safe, sanitary, well-run center because I chaired the quality assurance committee for a large OB/GYN practice, and for years chaired the governing board for an ambulatory surgery center and was a member of their medical board.
In the past, many abortion centers were not subject to the same regulations as medical facilities because state officials feared being sued for creating an impediment to so-called “abortion access.” This resulted in abortion centers not being held to the same standard as other medical providers or even businesses like hair and nail salons.
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