In contrast to U.S. state laws that single out abortion facilities for stringent regulations, facility standards for other outpatient procedures are set by committees of professionals who rely on research evidence and clinical expertise to ensure appropriate care. In interviews, experts in developing facility standards for outpatient procedures expressed concern about state involvement in the process of facility standards development. If abortion were treated like other common outpatient procedures, facility standards would be developed by professional associations or accreditation organizations, informed by the best available scientific evidence, and incorporate the expertise of clinicians who perform the procedure.
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Expert respondents report that, unlike state laws that target abortion-providing facilities for regulation, facility standards for other outpatient procedures are typically set by committees of clinicians brought together by professional associations or accreditation organizations.