The federal "Baby Doe" rule was the first effort by the United States government to address treatment options for infants born with serious birth defects. The case began in 1982 in Bloomington, Indiana, involving a newborn baby named Doe. The issue of children with disabilities born with severe birth defects attracted national attention in April 1982, when baby Doe was born. Baby Doe was born with Down syndrome, a genetic condition that delays the child's development, and was also born with an abnormal assembly of the trachea and esophagus. Baby Doe needed immediate surgery to repair the birth defects. With the guidance of their doctor, Baby Does's parents chose to withhold medical treatment and surgery due to the conclusion that it left their child severely retarded. “Hospital officials have asked Indiana juvenile courts to appoint a guardian to determine whether or not to perform the surgery. Ultimately the court ruled in favor of the parents and confirmed their right to an informed medical decision” (Resnik, 2011). Because of the decision made to withhold surgery and medical care, Baby Doe died five days later of dehydration and pneumonia. The law was signed by President Ronald Regan on October 9, 1984 after a long legal battle. The law was intended to further the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. Since the law was signed, the “Baby Doe” rules have had a major impact on parents' rights to make medical decisions for their children. “Under the 1984 Baby Doe legislation, refusal of neonatal intensive care on the basis of handicap or, in the case of extremely premature infants, increased risk of handicap was considered discrimination and a violation of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973” ( Tyson, 2013). ... middle of paper ... In the three exception categories, parents cannot express their concerns. If the child does not fall into one of the three categories, parents have no choice but to proceed with treatment. Some parents struggle knowing that they will have to care for a disabled child for the rest of their lives and other parents are not prepared to take on that role. I don't think denying care is the answer, but I also don't think forcing parents to take on such a huge responsibility is the answer. People are put in situations where they are not prepared and do not care for the child as they should. In the end it is the child who suffers. This topic will always be controversial in the world we live in today. I am grateful for the federal "Baby Doe" rules and I am sure that many newborn lives have been spared because of it.