RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia's health commissioner is recommending that the state look anew at regulations enacted under the McDonnell administration that established hospital-style building requirements for abortion clinics.
In a letter Wednesday to Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Dr. Marissa Levine recommends that the requirements be reviewed and updated.
McAuliffe ordered the regulatory review of the clinic rules this spring.
Opponents of the clinic rules said they are medically unnecessary and threaten the existence of some of Virginia's 18 abortion clinics.
Anti-abortion activists say the standards are needed to correct "seriously deficient" rules governing abortion clinics.
Levine says more than 14,000 people commented on the regulations, the vast majority seeking their repeal.
Levine said in her letter to McAuliffe her recommendations will go to the state Board of Health in December.
