With help from Brett Norman

VIRGINIA TO REVISE ABORTION CLINIC REGS — Those Virginia regulations holding abortion clinics to the same standards as hospitals are getting revised by the Virginia Board of Health, making it likely they’ll be eased. The 15-member board of appointees voted Thursday to start the process of changing the regulations, which could take as long as two years. The new rules must still comport with the 2011 law mandating the regs, but advocates for legalized abortion (who have argued the law is just an attempt to shutter clinics) hope they’ll make it easier for clinics to open and stay in business. Lawmakers who passed the law and anti-abortion activists say the rules make the clinics safer for women. The Pro story:http://politico.pro/1s0q35U

BRADY TO CONTINUE LEADING HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE — Texas Rep. Kevin Brady had hoped to lead the Ways and Means Committee, but with Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan gaining that role, Brady will continue next session as health subcommittee chairman. Brady said in a statement that he’s “thrilled to remain in the thick of the health care debate” over the next two years.

http://www.politico.com/politicopulse/