The Virginia Board of Health has approved strict new regulations for abortion clinics, including requiring them to upgrade their facilities to the standards of hospitals, according to the New York Times.

Clinics also must submit to government inspections.

Abortion advocates argue the regulations are simply a way to shut down many of the state's 22 abortion clinics. But supporters say the new rules will make the clinics safer.

The Family Foundation, a pro-life group that promoted the new regulations, called the approval, "a significant pro-life victory."

"Virginia's abortion centers now face the choice of either spending their profits on meeting standards or no longer doing abortions at their facilities," the group said.

The state's General Assembly passed a measure in February approving tighter restrictions on clinics.

The new rules will take effect Jan. 1 after Gov. Bob McDonnell reviews them.