 "Photo: Jennifer Johnson")
Gov. Rod Blagojevich's power to rewrite legislation could give hope to thousands of Illinois parents who deal with expensive diagnoses and treatment for children with autism.
The governor proposed July 13 to tack on an insurance break for parents of children with autism to another bill after the proposal was originally shot down in January. If the proposal passes, insurance companies would be required to provide patients with autism a $36,000 maximum yearly coverage plan for treatment until age 21.
The proposal is now coupled with a bill that requires employees' health plans to cover preventative physical therapy treatments for multiple sclerosis.
State Rep. Robert Pritchard, R-Sycamore, has been an avid supporter of this bill. Although Blagojevich is trying to use his amendatory veto power to transfer the autism proposal to the existing bill, Pritchard said, there still needs to be more effort from everyone to make it happen.
Pritchard said the government does not realize how serious autism is and the amount of children it affects every day.
"Children across the country suffer from this disorder. Without the proper treatment, they might never be able to function," Pritchard said.
One in every 150 children in the United States suffers from autism, according to the Centers for Disease and Control. Autism is a brain disorder that impairs social, emotional and communication skills.
Usually this behavior begins before age 3 and could last throughout the person's life. However, with early treatment and therapy, the child could develop skills later.
Anthony Cuvo, director of the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders at SIUC, said an autistic child's therapy is crucial to his or her future well being. It is also even more important that parents are able to afford to help their children, he said.
"The earlier we can provide intervention, the better they will be in life," Cuvo said.
The on-campus center is one of 27 agencies in the Autism Program Service Network in Illinois. The state-funded network provides families with treatment, diagnosis, education and support services at a lower cost than other agencies in the state.
Cuvo said some places that treat children with autism require $100 per hour, a service that insurance companies will not cover and parents struggle to afford. However, SIUC's center costs $200 per semester and provides the same services.
Melanie Swann, whose son is enrolled in SIUC's program, said she is fortunate the center is available at such low costs.
Swann said she would not be able to afford treatment anywhere else because the closest locations charge at least $50 per hour.
Pritchard said he has spoken with families such as Swann's. Other parents, he said, are not as lucky and have to pay all of the high medical costs at other centers.
"There are some that have to mortgage their house, have their car reposed and some even go bankrupt," he said.
Swann said she has expressed her concern and showed support by sending mass e-mails through the Autism Speaks network and staying informed about the latest updates.
As of now, the proposal to add autism coverage is still on the table and most likely will not be discussed until next year, Pritchard said.
"You have hope in this case," Swann said. "You just want to make sure the children are able to get the care they need."
Jenn Lofton can be reached at 536-311 ext. 273 or jlofton@siu.edu.
