Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe wants the state's Board of Health to review the regulations imposed on abortion clinics, according to The Washington Post.
McAuliffe, a Democrat, expressed his opposition to the regulations, which were approved by the General Assembly under former Gov. Bob McDonnell, a Republican.
"I am concerned that the extreme and punitive regulations adopted last year jeopardize the ability of most women's health centers to keep their doors open and place in jeopardy the health and reproductive rights of Virginia women," McAuliffe said in a statement.
State lawmakers voted to regulate the clinics like outpatient surgical centers -- requiring the clinics to keep more extensive records and make expensive building renovations, like widening hallways and doors.
Though regulations are reviewed every four years, McAuliffe is urgining the review to happen sooner.
The governor also appointed five new members to the board, all "who share his commitment to women's health and support his plan to review the health center regulations."
One of those members is James Edmondson, who supported a delay on the vote to the changes and also fought to exclude existing clinics from the new rules.
"My concern from the beginning has been access," Edmondson said at the time. "I don't want to see any of the clinics close."
McAuliffe's announcement has angered many pro-life groups, including the Family Foundation of Virginia who called the move "political payback to an abortion industry that spent over a $1 million to get him elected."
"Has the Governor bullied five members of the board into resigning because they don't agree with is pro-abortion position?" foundation president Victoria Cobb said. "Why is the abortion industry so afraid of having public health officials inspect their facilities if they are safe?"
