Virginia NOW Action Alert: “Stop McDonnell-Cuccinelli from Shutting Down Health Centers”

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and Governor Bob McDonnell are
once again putting Virginia women's health and safety in jeopardy.This Friday, September 14, the Virginia Board of Health must vote AGAIN on new regulations for women's health centers that provide five or more first-trimester abortions a year. The Board of Health is being bullied to do what Cuccinelli-McDonnell want: force women's clinics to close. We must urge the Board of Health to stand strong for women's health.  

1) Send a message to each Board member asking them to base their vote on women's health and safety. We are partnering with the ACLU of Virginia on this.
 
2) SHOW UP Friday and bring friends. The location of the Board of Health meeting is Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Richmond. It is expected to be crowded so arrive early if possible. 

7:30: Outside demonstration as Board members, officials and press arrive
8:30: Pack the meeting room & sign up to speak 
9:00: Board of Health meeting begins 
10 to Lunch: Public comment period 
Afternoon: Discussion and vote/s (last time they snuck a re-vote in at the end of the day)

Background:  
Earlier this summer, Virginia women won a victory when the Board of Health voted to exempt existing women's health centers that provide first-trimester abortion from politically motivated and unnecessary construction regulations. Instead of forcing health centers to close their doors (as Cuccinelli and McDonnell hoped), the vote ensured that the majority of health centers would remain open to continue providing essential medical care. The Board's vote was legally sound and medically correct.  
 
The Attorney General attempted to bully the Board in to changing their vote. On July 16th, he refused to certify the Board's vote by inaccurately declaring the Board's action as out of the Board's authority. Now, he's forcing the Board of Health to vote again on the proposed regulations this Friday.