Lawmakers support a bill that requires healthcare professionals to provide information to pregnant mothers whose children test positive for Down syndrome. It also requires abortion providers to determine if a woman is seeking an abortion because of a Down syndrome diagnosis, and says they must also give information to women.
Proponents of House Bill 1155 say they want to offer hope and encouragement for parents whose unborn child has been diagnosed with Down syndrome. They say the measure isn’t just about preventing abortions, but also about getting information into the hands of parents. Debbie Pease is with South Dakota Right to Life.
“Individuals with Down syndrome can lead wonderfully productive and fulfilling lives, and enrich the lives of their friends, families, and communities,” Pease says. “We want to be sure that parents get this message when their unborn child receives a diagnosis of Down syndrome.”
But Dean Krogman with the South Dakota State Medical Association says he’s concerned about the effect the measure might have on the doctor, patient relationship.
“The information that’s involved in those diagnosis, do you think they don’t talk about what the alternatives are,” Krogman says. “Do you assume because the testimony said it’s always negative? That’s not the case. And why just Down syndrome? What about cancer? What about other diseases? What about the health of the mother? Do you think they don’t talk about that stuff?”
Members of the House State Affairs Committee voted ten to one to pass House Bill 1155, sending it to the House floor for further debate.