Senator Brownback Re-Introduces Prenatally Diagnosed Condition Act!

This is a very Exciting step towards changing our current prenatal system!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS RELEASE: July 18, 2007

BROWNBACK, KENNEDY REINTRODUCE PRE-NATALLY AND POST-NATALLY DIAGNOSED CONDITIONS AWARENESS ACT WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA) today reintroduced the Pre-natally and Post-natally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act, legislation which would require that families who receive a diagnosis of Down syndrome or any other condition, pre-natally or up until a year after birth, will be given up-to-date information about the nature of the condition and connection with support services and networks that could offer assistance. "We as a society must offer as much protection as we can to 'the least of these,'" said Brownback. "When a mother receives the news that her unborn child may be born with a disability, she should be supplied with current and reliable information about the many options available for caring for children with disabilities." The Pre-natally and Post-natally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act would provide for the expansion and further development of a national clearinghouse on information for parents of children with disabilities, so that the clearinghouse would be better equipped to assist parents whose children have recently been pre- or post-natally diagnosed. The bill also provides for the expansion and further development of national and local peer-support programs. The bill also calls for the creation of a national registry of families willing to adopt children with pre- or post-natally diagnosed conditions."One of the hardest moments in the life of an expectant mother is when she receives news that she is going to have a child with special needs," said Kennedy. "Access to the best support and information about the condition, and the quality of life for a child born with that condition, can make all the difference to a woman trying to make an informed and difficult decision. I believe this kind of support is a vital element to strengthening a true culture of life in America."Currently, 90 percent of children pre-natally diagnosed with Down syndrome are aborted. That percentage is similar for children pre-natally diagnosed with other conditions such as spina bifida, cystic fibrosis, and dwarfism.Brownback is a member of the Senate Judiciary and Appropriations Committees. Sam Brownback United States Senator - Kansas 303 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-6521 http://brownback.senate.gov/
Christina thanks you, Senators Kennedy and Brownback! Now THIS is bi-partisanship!!