By Maria V. Gallagher, Legislative Director, Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation
The inherent right to life for children with Down syndrome is once again in the spotlight in Pennsylvania.
State Representative Kate Klunk (R-York County) has introduced Down syndrome protection legislation in the form of House Bill 1500. This common sense legislation would ban abortionists from performing an abortion based on a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome. It is prompted by the extraordinarily high rate of abortions after parents learn their babies may have an extra chromosome. Research indicates that at least 2/3rds of unborn babies with Down syndrome are aborted in the U.S.
Many parents may not know about the resources available to families with members who have disabilities. They may also be pressured by pro-abortion doctors, who underestimate the capabilities of people with Down syndrome.
The pressure to abort babies with Down syndrome comes despite the tremendous progress that has been made by individuals with a chromosomal anomaly. They are our co-workers and classmates, family members and friends, and they should be protected from harm.
A similar bill won bipartisan support in the Pennsylvania legislature last session, but faced opposition from pro-abortion Governor Tom Wolf, a former clinic escort for Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion operation. Wolf has said he would veto any bill that opposes abortion.
But Rep. Klunk and her allies in the legislature are undaunted. They see the legislation as both a disability rights issue and a human rights issue, and believe that the bill will help raise public awareness about the tremendous discrimination people with Down syndrome face.
Action Item: If you live in Pennsylvania, please send a message to your state representative to support House Bill 1500, the Down syndrome protection bill. To send a message now, please click here.