Print edition: 
For years, certain members of the Kansas Legislature proposed TRAP laws (targeted regulations against abortion providers). Those bills were always defeated — until now. With a new executive administration, which declared its intention of denying health care access to women and their families, TRAP laws were easily passed this past legislative session.
In 2002, the Kansas Medical Society House of Delegates, which was composed of more than medical professionals from varying specialties, approved the Office Based Surgical Guidelines for those practices that provide a certain level of outpatient surgery. In subsequent years, these guidelines were offered as a balanced alternative to the TRAP bills.
The abortion-care community was behind the codification of these guidelines, as they are equitable and allow all providers to play on a level field. These guidelines provided real protections for all patients, and abortion providers gladly supported them.
There was no political ax to grind; it was just plain, old, good policy for all.
After several attempts at putting these guidelines into law, they were ultimately adopted as rules and regulations by the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts. After these guidelines were put into place, abortion-care facilities were actually the first to be inspected.
The current biased regulations have nothing to do with quality health care delivery or the safety of all patients. These rules and regulations have everything to do with shutting down centers where medical doctors provide abortion care, everything to do with blocking access for women and their families.
I recommend that readers go to the vital statistics section on the Kansas Department of Health and Environment website, which provides statistics regarding abortion care in Kansas. These numbers clearly illustrate that patients are being properly cared for in this state.
All people deserve to have quality, accessible health care. The health system breaks down and deteriorates when one group of doctors, or one specialty, is singled out and targeted.
JULIE BURKHART
Director
Trust Women
Wichita
