Bill to Ban Abortions for Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate and Clubfoot

This bill would change the law to stop doctors from performing abortions when the only reason is that the baby has cleft lip, cleft palate or clubfoot. These are conditions where a baby is born with a split in their lip or mouth, or with feet that turn inward. Currently, doctors can perform abortions for these conditions under disability grounds. The government says this will prevent discrimination against people with these treatable conditions. Supporters say these conditions can be fixed with surgery and do not cause serious disability. Critics say this removes choice from families and could force women to continue unwanted pregnancies. The bill would only affect cases where these are the sole reasons for abortion.

• 1Would ban abortions performed only because baby has cleft lip, cleft palate or clubfoot
• 2These conditions involve splits in lip/mouth or inward-turning feet
• 3Currently allowed under existing disability provisions in abortion law
• 4Government says this prevents discrimination against people with treatable conditions
• 5Critics say this removes parental choice and forces unwanted pregnancies