Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Two very important, but overlooked stories
Next Post: Kadner on Jackson, Rezko and Halvorson; Plus: Greens; Seals
Posted in:
* I told subscribers about this bill and other measures stuck in the legislative mire yesterday morning.
Today, the Sun-Times editorializes in favor of a bill to require insurance companies to cover people with autism. The editorial claims the bill “never made it out of the House,” but actually the bill did pass the House. The House, however, refused to back away from an amendment the Senate rejected which forbade the Blagojevich administration from promulgating any new administrative rules.
Anyway…
The autism bill is one of dozens, if not hundreds, that failed to become law this spring because of a profound dispute between Gov. Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Madigan and others accuse Blagojevich of repeatedly going around the legislative process. To stop Blagojevich, Madigan added an amendment to the autism bill, and to hundreds of others, that restricts the governor’s ability to do that. The amendment gives the Legislature new powers to write rules about how the legislation will be implemented.
When all these amended bills, including the autism insurance bill, leave the House, Senate President Emil Jones, a Blagojevich ally, balks.
The result: gridlock, stalemate and mind-bending frustration for real people caught in the cross hairs.
* Madigan and others are not just accusing Blagojevich of doing end-arounds on the General Assembly. It’s a fact of life. Let’s go back and see what happened last year…
After the [Joint Committee on Administrative Rules] blocked the rules [for a health care expansion plan], Blagojevich ordered his agency directors to proceed as though JCAR actually approved the rule. The governor then sent his press office out to tell reporters that JCAR was unconstitutional and didn’t have the authority to block his new idea - even though Blagojevich signed that aforementioned law that allowed JCAR to do just that.
The governor’s move caused quite an uproar. His tendency to ignore the Constitution, his stubborn refusal to take “no” for an answer from large bipartisan majorities in the General Assembly, his blatant abuse of his powers to call special legislative sessions (he’s called more than all modern governors combined), and his hypocritical lawsuits against the House speaker over, of all things, constitutional issues, had already rankled legislators to no end. […]
Whenever an executive tries to grab lots more authority, it’s usually seen by the legislative branch as an abuse of power, and that branch often ends up with more power than before. The backlash against President Richard Nixon’s notorious power grabs produced all sorts of laws that were designed to limit the executive’s authority, for instance, and the same thing is starting to happen with President George W. Bush.
Governor Blagojevich has seemed intent since Day One on remaking the governor’s office into a far more powerful branch, often overstepping his authority or “misreading” the Constitution. Considering his abrasive tactics, massive unpopularity with the public, and bungled Statehouse execution, he could wind up leaving the governor’s office as a hobbled shell of its former self.
Lots and lots of bills were essentially killed this year because Speaker Madigan no longer trusts the governor to follow state law and the Illinois Constitution. I don’t see an easy way out of this mess.
Discuss.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 8:37 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Two very important, but overlooked stories
Next Post: Kadner on Jackson, Rezko and Halvorson; Plus: Greens; Seals
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
I think there’s only two things that will break the impasse. First, an overhaul of the GA come November elections. If a disproportionate number of incumbents lose their seats, the remaining legislators may fear for their own careers, and be spurred into action. This scenario appears highly unlikely.
Second, an indictment of Blagojevich, or other action (i.e. impeachment) that results in a new governor for the remainder of the term. The effect may be twofold - Madigan stops blocking legislation, and Emil Jones loses his most powerful ally. Both very good things. This scenario appears relatively more likely. Otherwise, it’s a re-run of 2007.
Comment by The Doc Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 8:47 am
2 things to break the impasse: (1) impeachment or (2) 2010. MJM has valid reasons not to trust Blago or Jones. And the capital bill? Didn’t Blago call Illinois FIRST the ‘biggest borrowing binge’ in state history? Didn’t he cancel all projects shortly after taking office and redirecting all remaining funds to his own pet projects? And why should we trust him again?
Comment by Vote Quimby! Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 8:51 am
Doc,
Why would any Reps or Senators lose their seats? Aside from the incompetence of the Republicans to run on a single issue of import (a gas tax holiday doesn’t qualify), there is no real reason to “turn people out.”
Further, with the 2 parties having their own “Nazi-Soviet pact” to make sure there is no real competition in most districts, there aren’t any challengers with enough “gravitas” to beat the incumbents.
Subconsciously, IL voters seem to know that the “Reps” don’t represent them. They are merely feudal positions (patronage vassals) doing the bidding of the 4 tops, not the people.
The only thing that will change this dynamic is a Constitutional convention.
Comment by Bruno Behrend Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 8:56 am
The most mind boggling part of this problem is that Blago created it! Blago signed into law the bill which gave JCAR the power to reject rules! prior to that law JCAR never had that authority. Then when they excercised the authority the Gov gave them he dicded to ignore their authority which he gave them!
The sun times is mistaken when they say: “…amendment gives the Legislature new powers to write rules…”
This is not “New” power, the legislature always had the power to write “rules” for the operation of an agency legislatively. In the past they would pass the enabling statutes. The Statute would provide the bounds of the authority granted to the agency, then leave it to the agency to draft the detailed rules for implementing its statutoy authority. The theory was the agency was best suited to figure out how to handle its operations. The problem, the Gov is using the rules to do more then set up operational procedures, he is creating state spending. JCAR served as a check on agency rules, but since it is being ignored by the Gov the legislature can no longer deligate to the agnecies the setting of their own procedures; it must take control back.
Jones needs replaced. His support for a Gov intent on violating the very seperation of powers given to our government by letting the governor usurp the legislative control of spending should send jones packing.
Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 9:02 am
BB, you misinterpreted my post. I’m not saying that any reps. will lose their respective seats, only that such an unlikely occurence may be a wake-up call for the remaining incumbents.
Comment by The Doc Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 9:07 am
If he doesn’t care about law or the constitution then why does he care that the budget isn’t balanced and therefore unconstitutional?
Comment by Levois Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 9:13 am
Jones is preventing the General Assembly from reaffirming the normal administrative processes in place before Blagojevich politicized it into the last century.
While Jones might not like these additional amendments, he has done nothing to prevent or repair the situation that forced these amendments into existence.
While I don’t like the amendments, Blagojevich has left us with no other options at this time.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 9:13 am
Blago and his pal Jones do need to start the packing - along with all of the “finger in the wind” politicans in Springfield and Washington - it will take time - but The People are waking up - you can’t abuse them too long - without paying your dues. Indictment can’t come fast enough for Blago - and I hope his pal Jones is right behind…… Make room for the new generation of REAL leadership.
Comment by get packin Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 9:13 am
The House is right to oppose Executive overreach. Governors and Presidents think they’re kings. It’s a more dangerous phenomenon, of course, at the presidential level, but the principle is the same. Separation of powers is the bedrock of liberty in this country and is worth fighting for.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 9:14 am
The simplest resolution - MO’ MONEY Jones needs to be sent packing. We can recall, impeach or for that matter run the gov out of town on a rail and it won’t really make a difference as long as Jones is still in power.
Comment by Sweet Polly Purebred Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 9:18 am
Yet, the Governor is following state law and the constitution…
Its either just more excuses by Madigan to make the Governor look bad, or just another example of Madigan’s endless pursuit of power in Illinois.
Anytime there is a threat to his power, he bites.
Comment by problem Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 9:24 am
To let your ego get in the way of help for autistic kids (and parents of autistic kids) is truly a disgrace. How do these people sleep at night?
Comment by Lurker Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 9:41 am
Problem—- you apparently failed to notice WHO started this problem.
As usual, Blagoof was at the wheel after failing to convince anyone of his ideas.
This is really just an element of the larger trust and integrity vacuum created by this administration.
It is interesting that the Sun TImes first concludes Madigan is right on the need to protect the integrity of the JCAR process, but suggests the autism issues deserves a pass.
Let’s follow that illogical conclusion to the point the family of an autistic child waits for some Blagoof flunky to decide whether the Administration sides with contributors from the insurance industry or families on the implementation of a program (the JCAR process).
Most know the thugs side with the cash and the public is left out to dry.
Hence giving anyone a pass now provides no gurantees.
Game Set Match Madigan
Comment by DumberThanYou Think Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 9:41 am
Looking at the impasse, which is caused by too much power in the hands of three potions, could well lead to a “yes” on the con-con question. Many will see this as a way to solve the current set of problems by clarifying the constitution.
While the constitution may or may not need clarification, the current situation makes it appear that it does. And bottling up legislation, the budget, and capital projects makes more people question whether the current set up works and pushes them in the direction of a yes vote on the con-con question.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 9:46 am
Much of the problem stems from the fact that most voters feel that ‘their’ representative is one of the good guys.
I would hazard a guess that the voters in Emil Jones’s district feel that he is doing a wonderful job for and should be returned to office. Since the cards are stacked in the incumbent’s favor who can unseat someone like him.
The senate is not bound to continue to elect EJ as their leader. with luck the sentators will voice their distain by electing a new leader.
Comment by Plutocrat03 Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 9:49 am
Wow, Dumber, that’s the longest post you have ever written.
I wonder if the Speaker pays you by the word now, instead of just by the insult.
To respond, I would just say that the Speaker could have done a lot of things differently if he didn’t want to go down this road.
He could have not meddled in the Senate’s business.
He could have not stacked JCAR to get the votes he needed to make political decisions instead of policy decisions.
And he could not revel in political power victories that hurt people (e.g. Autism bill).
I thought it was Chess, or is Mikey a tennis player now?
Comment by problem Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 9:52 am
problem, I agree that it’s horrible that these bills have been caught up in this mess. But your comments only serve to make things worse, and you don’t even seem to realize it.
The bottom line is that the governor cannot be trusted to follow Illinois law. Also, I think “dumber” probably has a valid point about your history with the rulemaking process.
But, hey, that’s the Blagojevich way: “It’s never my fault!!!”
Until you people figure out that YOU are the problem and that it is YOU who must change, nothing else will change.
Your extreme hypocrisy on JCAR (signing the law to strengthen JCAR and then contending that the law YOU signed was unconstitutional), your dealings with Rezko, Kelly, et al, your hyperactive fundraising tied directly to state business, your broken word going all the way back to the FY 2004 budget have all undercut your credibility to the point where you simply have no credibility.
It is impossible to blame anyone for not trusting the governor because he is so maddenlingly untrustworthy. Deal with that, first.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 9:58 am
The Governor’s office did try and deal with the trust issue, Rich.
The capital bill effort showed how many concessions they were willing to make.
And it won over the Senate Republicans, who have gotten screwed far more than the House Dems.
Plus, me arguing with the Speaker’s staff on this blog does nothing to impact this situation.
People are holding the Governor in check just fine, but nothing is done to address the Speaker’s power games.
Stop being so moody.
Comment by problem Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 10:04 am
Plus, Rich, please tell me what Change you are asking the Governor’s office to make that hasn’t already been done or offered?
It surely can’t be for them to accept unconstitutional bill language that does nothing but make the Speaker of the House the enforcer of laws?
Comment by problem Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 10:09 am
===Plus, me arguing with the Speaker’s staff on this blog does nothing to impact this situation.===
Wanna bet?
===People are holding the Governor in check just fine===
Wanna bet?
===The capital bill effort showed how many concessions they were willing to make.===
Not nearly enough.
===And it won over the Senate Republicans, who have gotten screwed far more than the House Dems.===
The capital bill was a fairy tale. It wasn’t real, the SGOPs knew it wouldn’t pass the House, so it was an easy vote.
===Stop being so moody.===
LOL. This has been my mood since 2003. Perhaps you’re new.
===nothing is done to address the Speaker’s power games.===
Unsolicited advice: Stop trying to beat the man. It’s been tried many times, it’s never worked. You do have a point, however. Still, you’re the governor’s office, you wear the jacket. If this is an uncomfortable jacket, well, there is always the “Exit” door.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 10:11 am
===It surely can’t be for them to accept unconstitutional bill language that does nothing but make the Speaker of the House the enforcer of laws?===
Not sure what you’re talking about there.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 10:12 am
Yea, why fight the Speaker?
Let him steamroll. He is just a chess master.
You are right - I am new. My suggestions:
Less fawning over the speaker. Less enabling, please.
Thanks.
(For what its worth. While I appreciate the promotion, I am merely employed by an agency)
Comment by problem Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 10:18 am
Bite me, jerk.
He’s gotten along with other governors. That’s something you people will never figure out, apparently.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 10:20 am
And if you’re telling the truth about you being just a lowly agency employee, please know you’re doing your side more damage than you may understand.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 10:21 am
Though I do appreciate you finally acknowledging Speaker’s staff posting on here.
I know you only like to call out people you think work for the Governor.
But I appreciate the even-handedness.
Comment by problem Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 10:22 am
Calm down. No need to hurl insults.
Drink some coffee.
Meet you at boone’s for a drink.
Comment by problem Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 10:27 am
Problem the Gov could stop abusing the rulemaking process and defying JCAR. But you win the award for all time hypocritical statment
==== stacked JCAR to get the votes he needed to make political decisions instead of policy decisions. ===
Firsat, you have a logical fallacy, that policy decisions exist in government in the absence or as distinct from political decisions. All policy decisions are political decisions.
More importantly, the Gov has refused to comply with the very JCAR law he signed becuase it did not do what he wanted. It is utter hypocrosy to decry the speakers use of power when the Govenor refuses to floolow JCAR when it does not do what he wants. ALso the idea that JCAR either allows the Gov to do what he wants or is a tool of Madigan shows the rigid uncompromising though process of the Gov. Instead of working with the general assembly to expand health care, he seeks to do it by fiat and ignoring the other branches of governemnt.
But the Gov is the worst offender of them all of making press sound bites for his own political agrandizement instead of truly seeking whats in the publics best interest.
Lets see he pardoned criminals in a school then misdirected 1 million is money to the school.
he cancelled funding for the cease fire anti violence program in chicago to save money; and then when violence dramatically increased he prososed spending over 25 times the cost of that program to create new programs under his name to fix the mess he created.
He approved budget money for half a brudge repair requested by a senate memeber, but then deied the other half needed for the repairs because it was requested by a house memeber! The Gov is the very last person who can cry that politics is improperly influening decisions. The Gov stands as the momnument to improper decisions rendered to meet his own personal agenda.
Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 10:33 am
Rich, I completely agree that Madigan has taken a stance with the JCAR amendment he feels necessary because the Governor has not honored the process. I wish everyone could have put the issue aside to help these families though, at the end egos won out over good policy. The Senate could have “tolerated” the amendment too. When I explained to the dad who had been working this bill what was at play -he broke down crying in the halls of the Senate in front of his 10 yr. old son. Some days it’s hard to be an advocate in Illinois when the consequences of these actions will truly devastate families and sick children. Please put the politics aside for once and pass this bill.
Comment by parent of child with autism Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 10:40 am
Why can’t people with an autism diagnosis be covered by Social Security and Medicare as are individuals with other serious disabilities. That would seem to me to be a more significant target for advocates than a state law mandating insurance coverage, especially since insurance company benefits (as opposed to state benefits) are subject to the vagaries of the marketplace.
Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 10:42 am
Cassandra, some are eligible for social security and some may have medicaid. Autism is a neurobiological disorder and should be covered as other brain based disorders are covered. To deny medically necessary treatments is discriminatory. Besides when these children get treatment, their symptoms improve so we all win in the long run if they don’t eventually need to be institutionalized.
Comment by parent of child with autism Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 10:53 am
I absolutely love this article that was in the Quad-City Times. Great last line - “Knock yourself out Governor.” Even Rodney Dangerfield could not command less respect.
Comment by Little Egypt Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 10:57 am
Sorry, the link to the article is:
http://www.qctimes.com/articles/200
8/06/10/opinion/editorials/doc484897b
b0ee9f955581785.txt
Comment by Little Egypt Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 10:58 am
The rules issue is important and goes to two principles at the heart of our system of government — separation of powers and checks and balances. That’s why we have one branch to make laws, another branch to enforce laws and a third branch to referee disputes about laws.
I do think the governor has been absolutely ridiculous in his attempts to make an end run around JCAR and I don’t blame the GA for wanting to cut him off at the pass, so to speak. However, the point could have been made by attaching the no-rulemaking clause to a limited number of bills. It didn’t have to be tacked on to every single bill that concievably could require agency rulemaking. That’s going overboard in the other direction.
Comment by Bookworm Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 11:18 am
It is quite simple. If the Gov is NOT following the Illinois constitution, then that would be grounds for IMPEACHMENT. He swore to uphold the constitution of Illinois and he is NOT doing it.
Simple fix.
Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 11:24 am
Problem, explain how Madigan can “stack” JCAR when the House Dems can only fill 3 seats out of the 12 available? By law JCAR has to be evenly divided between both parties and both chambers.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 11:26 am
I was referring to Madigan replacing Holbrook with Lou Lang a week or two before the JCAR vote. Lang, as you know, is a big critic of the Governor.
Comment by problem Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 11:35 am
Holbrook is a MJM ally as well.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 11:56 am
both sides are at fault, obviously, and Blago has started or worsened just about every problem, but Madigan didn’t need to tack the amendment onto this particular bill. Other bills got through, and there’s no rulemaking involved in this one. I looked up the votes: 50-0 Senate, 113-0 House (abstaining: Madigan). something against autistic kids?
Comment by numb Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 1:28 pm
that said, there’s no reason Jones/Blag can’t suck it up and let one go. once it dies, the bill will be hard to get back
Comment by numb Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 1:31 pm
Numb the agency has no rule making authority? It looks to me like they do, so the amendment is needed to remove that authority.
Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 1:33 pm
Cheap shot, Numb.
I have no idea why Madigan didn’t vote on that bill. Because I’m involved in Easter Seals, I do know that Madigan was instrumental in getting a $4 million grant to build the new Therapeutic School and Center for Autism Research in the Illinois Medical District in Chicago. It will be the best, most advanced autism school and research center
in the world.
Learn more here. http://chicago.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ILCH_New_School
The JCAR fight is over a bedrock constitutional principle of separation of powers. Who’s hiding behind the kids here?
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 1:40 pm
what rules have to be written for a mandate for private insurance companies to cover a condition?
Comment by numb Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 1:40 pm
wordslinger: they’re all using the kids–but that includes the speaker, too. and one school in chicago won’t help 10,000 kids around the state; they’re still looking at institutions
Comment by numb Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 1:45 pm
numb, good lobbyists know that the rulemaking process gives them another bite at the apple. All sorts of things can be written into rules, but if the guv ignores JCAR, then there is no check on those rules.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 1:46 pm
Numb, so suggesting Madigan had something against autistic kids WASN’T a cheap shot?
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 1:52 pm
okay–so why this bill and not others. some bills passed this year without the amendment.
Comment by numb Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 1:54 pm
283 bills were sent to the guv’s desk. that’s lower than most any year in memory.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 1:55 pm
Rich: do those 283 bills bypass rulemaking somehow? why would the sky fall if there were 284? what am i missing?
Comment by numb Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 1:58 pm
Not every bill deals with agencies. HB2859…
===Amends the Criminal Code of 1961 relating to the possession of burglary tools. Provides that the possession of a key designed for lock bumping demonstrates intent to commit a felony or theft. Defines “lock bumping”.====
HB4178…
===. Provides that an Internet gaming service provider that provides service to a consumer, for home and personal use, for a stated term that is automatically renewed for another term unless a consumer cancels the service must give a consumer who is an Illinois resident: (1) a secure method at the Internet gaming service provider’s web site that the consumer may use to cancel the service, which method shall not require the consumer to make a telephone call or send U.S. Postal Service mail to effectuate the cancellation; and (2) instructions that the consumer may follow to cancel the service at the Internet gaming service provider’s web site. Makes it an unlawful business practice for an Internet gaming service provider to violate the new provisions.===
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 2:02 pm
“numb”, any rules involved in implementing the autism bill would likely be made by DFPR’s Division of Insurance.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 2:47 pm
Sorry, but when a governor refuses to deal above board with legislators by circumventing JCAR then that governor should expect future bills to contain language to reaffirm the GA’s traditional role in the administrative process. The governor cannot have it both ways, nor should he.
It isn’t a legal matter, per se, but a matter of function, efficiency and trust. JCAR was were the rules were refereed. It is simply impossible to expect an efficient government when the governor refuses to follow rules decided by the official administrative board.
Finger pointing at Madigan is nonsense. The House cannot pass bills so open-ended administratively that a governor can alter the it at will. That kind of thinking isn’t governing.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 2:50 pm
Bite me, Jerk???!!!???
Watch out, Shakespeare!!
Are we having a bad day, your highness?
Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 3:11 pm
No, Bill, they’re having a bad day. lol
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 3:12 pm
Rich,
Are you sure its not a good day. LOL
Comment by MIDSTATE Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 4:53 pm
It’s a beautiful day outside, but I’ve been stuck inside dealing with various crud.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 4:55 pm
Speaker Madigan and President Jones please figure out how pass the insurance bill. SSI doesn’t help most of these kids. They fall between the cracks. Why play games with their future. * it hurts families and real kids * need help now *
Comment by don't forget please Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 8:07 pm
You failed to mention two very important pieces of legislation that have also fallen victim to the fight over rulemaking authority. One bill, sponsored by Rep. Jack Franks and Sen. Debbie Halvorson, would have given all senior citizens and people with disabilities the same “plus” coverage under the Illinois Cares Rx Program, Illinois’ Medicare Part D “wraparound” program. Currently there are 2 classes of beneficiaries under this program. It is really a shame that these individuals have become victims of a political quarrel. The bill is House Bill 4449.
Another bill that stalled in the House because of this dispute is SB 2256, which would have given the Department of Human Rights jurisdiction to investigate complaints of discriminatory bullying and harassment of students who are members of protected classes under the Human Rights Act.
All I can say is Dan Seals makes a good point.
One more thing: HB 5595, the insurance bill you mentioned, is not just about autism. It would mandate insurance coverage for therapies for children with congenital disorders, including, but not limited to, an autism spectrum disorder. For some reason, some people, including many journalists and legislators, think that autism is the only disability worthy of their time and attention.
Comment by will county wiseguy Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 9:13 pm
There are two bills hung up here that would provide coverage for kids with autism: SB1900 (autism only) and HB5595 (all disabilities). They cover different therapies, SB1900 is capped, the other is not, and there is language in HB5595 that prohibits doubling up on both sets of benefits. Both bills would help lots of kids, at little relative cost compared to the state’s cost to institutionalize or provide community services (for life).
Also, even though autism has gotten more attention recently, nobody really covers autism or any disability like they should, lawmakers included. Disability is a “local interest” or charity-type issue, almost always ignored by leadership and the MSM’s political reporters–it’s not “sexy,” like corruption or capital plan goodies or the political soap opera. Meanwhile, bad policy abounds, and it hurts these families. Badly.
Comment by a dad Tuesday, Jun 10, 08 @ 11:17 pm
I agree with you “Dad” that autism is not covered well or accurately in the media. I also have a daughter with autism (high functioning). Fortunately, her therapies, etc. have not been hugely expensive to this point.
One very important thing the media overlooks about autism is that it is indeed a “spectrum” that covers a LOT of ground. Not all autistic children or adults are obviously handicapped. Some appear to be very nearly typical and those on the Asperger Syndrome end of the spectrum can be particularly talented and knowledgeable regarding their areas of special interest. A little timely therapy or tutoring or social skills training can go a long way, especially if done early and especially in the higher levels of the spectrum. The money spent for these things doesn’t just go down a black hole.
Also, in the media autism tends to be treated like muscular dystrophy, cancer, etc. — as an incurable disease that has to be eradicated at all costs. Not to offend anyone here, but over time I have come to agree with certain adult autistics who say that autism is, to some extent, part of a who a person is and perhaps it should be seen more as a discrimination/civil rights issue than as a “disease” issue.
In any event, the autism coverage bill was a good piece of legislation and for it to get caught up in this dogfight over rules is really sad.
Comment by Bookworm Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 6:48 am