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Bill would prohibit abortion solely due to Down syndrome diagnosis


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HOLLIDAYSBURG -- Pennsylvania lawmakers introduced a bill this week that would prohibit a woman having an abortion solely because of a Down syndrome diagnosis.

Women in Pennsylvania can have an abortion up to 24 weeks for any reason except the sex of the child, according to a release, and this bill would add a Down syndrome diagnosis to that exception.

State Rep. Judy Ward said that she believes in House Bill 2050 because the opportunities for people with Down syndrome expand each year.

A person with down syndrome in the 1960s was expected to live until their 10th birthday, but in 2007, the average person with Down syndrome lived to be 47 years old, according to the Center for Disease Control.

"They can function in society as individuals who are independent and have jobs, and they're productive members of society," Ward said, adding, "That's why this bill is so important; because there's such a bright future for them."

Altoona father Jake Hollobaugh agrees. His 5 year-old daughter Sophia has Down syndrome.

"Give them a chance. I mean, kids with Down syndrome or other conditions are still children," he said.

He said that his daughter goes to normal day care and kindergarten with other children, and he hopes that one day she'll be able to attend college, have a job and have a family of her own.

He and his wife adopted Sophia not long after she was born. Hollobaugh said that the couple had the option to know whether or not she would have Down syndrome, but they declined.

"It didn't matter at that point," he said.

He describes his daughter as "loving," and said that she's taught him new ways to view life.

"We look at Sophia, and she's a blessing to us. I wouldn't have changed anything from day one," Hollobaugh said.

He said that he likes to see people like his daughter supported in legislation.

"We appreciate that. That's something that, in my heart of hearts, I believe in," he said.

Ward said that she understands that this diagnosis can be scary for new parents.

According to the CDC, the average medical care costs are 12 times higher for children with Down syndrome compared to children the same age without it.

Ward said that there is still support and there are opportunities for these families, including the #IWANTTOWORK Bill, which was signed into state law in 2016 and the Empowering Lives Foundation in Hollidaysburg. She said those and several other organizations can help people with Down syndrome to be independent, live on their own and hold a job.

Planned Parenthood released a statement about this bill, saying:

"We should ensure that people with disabilities are treated with equality and dignity. This bill would do nothing to address the serious concerns of people living with disabilities in our community, including access to health care and other services they may need. It is clear that this bill is just another attempt to restrict access to safe, legal abortion and not a genuine attempt to better serve people in the community."

The bill would have no restrictions on a mother having an abortion in cases of incest, rape or personal endangerment, according to a release.

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