Va. abortion clinics to face tough rules

RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 24 (UPI) -- The Virginia Senate voted Thursday to require abortion clinics to be regulated as if they were hospitals.

Democrats, who hold a slim majority in the Senate, generally opposed the measure, WVIR-TV reported. But two voted for it, and Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling broke the 20-20 tie.

Regulation of abortion clinics was added to a bill on infection prevention in hospitals and nursing homes. Kathy Byron, a Republican member of the House of Delegates, proposed an amendment Monday requiring the state Department of Health to draw up new regulations for all clinics that perform at least five abortions a month within 280 days.

The bill now goes to Gov. Bob McDonnell who said he expects to sign it.

Republicans said the measure simply protects women who have abortions.

"This is not about banning abortions in Virginia," Sen. Jill Holtzman-Vogel said. "It is simply caring for women who are about to have an invasive surgical procedure."

But Democrats and pro-choice groups say banning abortions is the goal by putting restrictions on clinics that would force them out of business.

Sen. Ralph Northam, a Democrat and a neurologist practicing in Norfolk, told The Virginian-Pilot he performs many procedures on outpatients.