Granted coverage, denied life

One of the provisions in the Affordable Care Act championed by the disability community is coverage for pre-existing conditions.  This is definitely a positive mandate, and many incredible advocates have fought to ensure individuals with disabilities are fully included in our society. As an advocate and father of a beautiful daughter who has Down syndrome, I have made it my mission to make sure people see what a priceless blessing children like my Chloe are.

After Chloe’s birth in 2003, I became aware of the 90%+ abortion rate for children diagnosed prenatally with Down syndrome. This is due largely to the fact that many still view these individuals as “defective.” The Affordable Care Act provides funding for abortion, which is the procedure being used to terminate 90%+ of children who have a pre-existing prenatal Down syndrome condition.

The reality many disability advocates fail to address is that only 10% or less of children who survive from a prenatal to a postnatal pre-existing Down syndrome condition can access health care coverage. Why should the disability community be excited about health coverage that funds the instrument being used to terminate 90% of individuals with a prenatal pre-existing condition they claim to champion?

Very rapid advances in genetic testing will lead to more prenatal pre-existing conditions being diagnosed. Will our “inclusive,” “tolerant” culture allow these individuals to be targeted and eliminated by health care coverage that supposedly was crafted to protect them?