A Senate committee this week passed a bill that would provide for accurate medical information to be offered to parents who receive a diagnosis of a disability either before birth or up to a year after the birth of a child.

The Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act (S.1810) would make sure that families who receive a diagnosis of Down syndrome or any other condition will be offered up-to-date and accurate information about the condition and connections with support services and networks that could offer assistance.

The measure is co-sponsored by Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) It now moves to full Senate consideration.

In a press release, Sen. Brownback applauded the action by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

“It is difficult, sometimes overwhelming, for expecting parents to receive news that their unborn child may be born with a disability,” said Brownback. “This legislation will help parents receiving such news by supplying them with current and reliable information about the many options available for caring for children with disabilities.”

According to Brownback’s office, the bill would provide for:

• The expansion and further development of a national clearinghouse of information for parents of children with disabilities to assist parents with either a prenatal or postnatal diagnosis;
• The expansion and further development of national and local peer-support programs for families of children with disabilities; and
• The creation of a national registry of families willing to adopt children with disabilities.

The bill presents an unusual alliance between Kennedy, a staunch supporter of abortion rights and the rights of people with disabilities, and Brownback, a fierce opponent of abortion.

Earlier in the Congressional session the bill received the support of Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, who said it appears to support pregnant women “without undermining a woman’s right to choose.”

Lifenews.com, a pro-life website, has characterized the measure as “legislation designed to help reduce the number of abortions of babies with Down syndrome and other conditions.” Presently, it is estimated that up to 90 percent of pregnancies in the United States in which Down syndrome is diagnosed end in abortion.

Click here for the text of the bill, as listed by the Library of Congress. (Note: this version does not reflect any changes that may have occurred in committee.)

Earlier analysis of the bill by Washington Watch.

Earlier post here.

This entry was posted on Saturday, March 1st, 2008 at 9:16 am and is filed under Down syndrome, NOT2BEMISSED, PB Articles & Essays, abortion, genetics, law, medicine, politics, prenatal diagnosis, public attitudes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.