Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge must spend hundreds of thousands of dollars this year to comply with new state regulations covering abortion providers, but they say they will comply and remain open. The new rules took effect in the last 10 days. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more.
[audio:http://wfirnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/01-09-Abortion-Rules-Wrap1-WEB.mp3|titles=01-09 Abortion Rules Wrap1-WEB]
The regulations require the same building standards for abortion clinics as hospitals — instead of doctors’ offices as before. Even newer buildings like the one Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge uses on Peters Creek Road will need some big and expensive architectural changes. Planned Parenthood will not say how this might impact the number of abortions performed this year but do say they will comply with the rules — and do so within the required time frame.
