Sep 11, 2008 7:50 pm US/Central
Autism Proposal Fails In Illinois House
ELMHURST, Ill. (CBS) ―
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Brianna Di Cianni, 5, was diagnosed with autism two years ago. Her family has spent over $70,000 to get her the best treatment.
CBS
Another casualty of political feuding in Springfield is funding the treatment of autism.
CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports that 5-year-old Brianna Di Cianni talks now. That is amazing to those who remember how silent she was when diagnosed two years ago with autism. Her mother and father have so far spent more than $70,000 to get Brianna the best treatment, none of it covered by insurance.
A proposal that would have mandated such insurance coverage was killed last night in the Illinois House.
"This was our fourth shot at getting this bill passed and I can't believe that we didn't get it," said Peter Di Cianni, Brianna's father.
The failed autism law said insurers must pay for diagnosis and treatment, up to $36,000 a year. The state has identified about 11,000 Illinois children with autism.
House members said they voted the proposal down because Gov. Blagojevich used an amendatory veto to add it to an unrelated bill. They argue that it is a move that violates the Illinois constitution.
"For the governor to take legislation and completely rewrite it is dangerous because where does it start and stop? This vote was not about being heartless, this vote was about our constitution," said State Rep. Lou Lang.
"I want insurance for our kids. I don't care how it gets done," said Peter Di Cianni. "I'm not a legislator. I'm a father and I'm fighting for my kids. And I'm fighting for the 11,000 kids that are dealing with this problem."
The Di Cianni family hopes members of the General Assembly have told them the truth that their only objection to the autism proposal was the way Gov. Blagojevich went about implementing it.
There are two autism-related proposals pending in front of the General Assembly now. Rep. Lou Lang said that as early as this November, both chambers could send them to Gov. Blagojevich's desk for his signature.
The Di Cianni family is organizing a fundraising walk to benefit children with autism. To find out more, visit
http://www.csld.org/WalkHomePage.htm
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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