September 13, 2010 1:52PM 

# What If Cuccinelli Had Sent that Letter to Planned Parenthood? 

By [Michael F. Cannon](https://www.cato.org/people/michael-f-cannon) 

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The following analogy may help to explain why everyone should be troubled by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ [efforts](https://www.cato.org/secretary-sebelius-slips-on-the-brass-knuckles/) [to](https://www.cato.org/obamacares-threat-to-free-speech/) [intimidate](https://www.cato.org/sebelius-prior-restraint-on-speech/) insurance companies who say unflattering things about [ObamaCare](www.cato.org/pubs/wtpapers/BadMedicineWP.pdf).

Last month, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R), [issued an opinion](http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/257959) that state regulatory boards already have the authority to impose additional regulations on abortion clinics. [Critics pounced](https://www.cato.org/journalists-warn-of-regulations-costs/), claiming that the measure could shut down 17 of the state’s 21 clinics. What if Cuccinelli responded with a letter threatening to investigate clinics that “misinform” the public about the costs of such regulation?

##### Related Tags 

[Government and Politics](https://www.cato.org/government-politics), [Health Care](https://www.cato.org/health-care), [Regulation](https://www.cato.org/regulatory-studies) 

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