CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Attorney General Patrick Morrisey says he is on a fact finding mission to determine how the law in West Virginia addresses abortion facilities.
His next step in that effort came Wednesday when he put out a call for public comments on specific areas related to the policies and procedures of those sites.
“In light of the issues that were raised in Philadelphia and in Charleston, this is an important area where the public needs to know the state of the law and regulations,” Morrisey said.
Comments are being accepted through the state Attorney General’s website for the following areas:
- Regulations and standards for health care facilities generally and abortion clinics specifically
- Compliance and auditing of facilities and providers
- Reasons for differential regulatory treatment of hospitals, ambulatory surgical facilities, physician offices, and abortion clinics
- Reasons for differential regulatory treatment of medical procedures
- Private accreditation versus government regulation
- Authorized providers of abortion
- Informed consent standards
- Gestational age limits
- West Virginia abortion laws and regulations compared to those in other states
- Informational or educational materials gathered by any other West Virginia government official on abortion regulation in the State
Morrisey said he is seeking the information because no state agency specifically inspects clinics or facilities that perform abortions. West Virginia has two stand alone sites. Both are located in Charleston.
“We’ve reached out to other entities,” he said of the effort. “We’re calling hospitals. We’re reaching out to the licensing boards and other entities around the state because we’re trying to educate ourselves about the state of abortion regulations in West Virginia.”
West Virginia Free Executive Director Margaret Chapman-Pomponio said such actions are not needed.
“The Attorney General must know that women’s health providers are regulated like any other health care provider in the state of West Virginia. The doctors are regulated by the Board of Medicine. The nurses are regulated by the Board of Nursing,” she said.
Earlier this year, Morrisey sent questionnaires to the two abortion clinics about their policies and procedures. Those clinic operators responded, but largely refused to answer many of those questions.
One of those sites questioned, Women’s Health Center of Charleston, is currently being sued for medical malpractice because of alleged problems with an abortion.
Chapman-Pomponio said Morrisey’s motives should be examined. “It’s clear that he’s pursuing his own personal and political agenda through his public office,” she said.
Morrisey denied that on Wednesday’s MetroNews “Talkline.”
“This is a very contentious issue. People on both sides are committed to their viewpoints. My goal is to ensure that this review is thorough, it’s transparent and, ultimately, that is rises above the name calling and the attacks,” he said.
West Virginians for Life issued a statement of support for Morrisey’s efforts on Wednesday.
“Sadly, over the 40 years since the Supreme Court legalized abortion for the entire nine months of pregnancy in the United States, insufficient concerns have been directed toward monitoring abortion facilities in West Virginia,” said WVFL President Wanda Franz.
The deadline for public comments with the AG’s Office is 5 p.m. on August 16.
Any action on Morrisey’s findings would have to come from the Legislature.