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Post by gatordog on Jul 8, 2009 10:23:09 GMT -5
Why should the state pay $1200 per month for someone's chiropractic treatments? I cannot see a relationship between Asperger's and chiropractic adjustments. I think Ms. Price should stop talking...she's not doing her cause any favors with statements like these. First off, the article doesnt say that the state is paying $1200 per mo for that procedure. So you have jumped to a conclusion here. OK, I can see how the reporter probably didnt phrase this particular financial information very well at all. Next, its one thing for you to be "unable to see a relationship" after reading one newspaper article on the matter. But of course that does contradict the experience of families and medical people as well. Asmo, is your inability to see a relationship always correct?or might you be open-minded to possibly learning from others? Here is the main point. Its ok to be a skeptic and to question issues, such as this or other things. Asomodeus, you certainly can be one to do just that. However, when one tries to present themselves as a questioning skeptic, and then follows it up by stating somebody with a different viewpoint should "stop talking"....well, that pretty clearly crosses a line into what can be described as prejudice, close-mindedness, and arrogance.
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Post by sashimi on Jul 8, 2009 13:08:30 GMT -5
I very rarely get the Naperville Sun, but happened to purchase a copy for the train ride this morning.
It was nice to see the Sun giving this issue prominate coverage on the front page.
It is shameful what is going on in Springfield right now. I am a staunch fiscal conservative and want to see some significant cuts in government spending before my taxes go up, but not at the expense of the most vulnerable members of society. Throwing people on the street, cutting off programs that are helping people recover from substance abuse, and stopping programs that are helping families make sure that their children with special needs get the support they need to flourish and grow is just not humaine and counter to the values of our society.
Not to always tie everything back to the 3d high school, but it reminds me of the District threatening split shifts if the 2006 referendum was not passed. I think most people in the State would be willing to accept a smaller tax increase to support these type of social programs. However, it looks like our state government is using some horrible means (cutting these critical social programs) to justify the means (to get huge tax increases that will continue to support their pork and waste).
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Post by brant on Jul 8, 2009 13:25:31 GMT -5
Again, Asmodeus, your ignorance is showing. The $1200/month would be out of pocket expenses for MY FAMILY, not you or any other taxpayer. The state funded supplemental insurance only covers a fraction of that and the doctor accepts it. Kudos to him for accepting it and for helping the other kids with autism. And yes, there is a correlation. We've seen a difference and it is measurable. So have other families with autistic children. I was skeptical when we started, but my son is a different child now. I have my son back now. Unless you've been in this situation or have a child with special needs, you have no idea what you are talking about. I am fighting not only for my child, but for several other children and families, so I will not stop talking. Unless you can educate yourself with the special needs world, maybe YOU should stop talking. This is not the first time you've sounded like an arrogant fool. I am not surprised by Asmodeus answer. As the parent of Autistic kids myself this is not an unusual response. People who don't have special needs kids will never understand. They cannot concieve what we have to go through emotionally as well as financially. Asmodeus you obviously do not have a special needs kid. You are indeed lucky. Don't criticize those that do. Like it or not our kids are just as important as the others.
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Post by asmodeus on Jul 8, 2009 13:41:39 GMT -5
1. The article should have mentioned the $1200 was the MSRP, not the state discounted rate. 2. You give kudos to the doctor for accepting the lower rate but imply that he won't give you that rate if the state won't pay. 3. Without prying into your personal finances, I will ask the following question this way: Are these payments made by the state subject to any means testing? If not, should they be? If you were affluent and fully capable of paying for the services, should the taxpayers still fund them?
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Post by asmodeus on Jul 8, 2009 14:05:46 GMT -5
That's the fallback response -- "unless you have a ____ kid" (substitute whatever adjective you can think of), then you cannot relate."
I readily admit I am not an expert in Asperger's Syndrome. But some who are knowledgeable about the subject dispute whether AS should even be considered a disability. It is certainly a different cognitive "style" -- but who determines what is normal? This is not meant to be disrespectful. We are all defective in one way or another.
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Post by asmodeus on Jul 8, 2009 14:15:45 GMT -5
My point was not to stifle someone's speech but to suggest I do not believe that the taxpaying public has much sympathy in this economic environment for the type of situation described (which is essentially a disorder characterized by a certain social ineptitude), and Ms. Price is hurting her cause with the histrionics.
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Post by brant on Jul 8, 2009 16:13:33 GMT -5
That's the fallback response -- "unless you have a ____ kid" (substitute whatever adjective you can think of), then you cannot relate." I readily admit I am not an expert in Asperger's Syndrome. But some who are knowledgeable about the subject dispute whether AS should even be considered a disability. It is certainly a different cognitive "style" -- but who determines what is normal? This is not meant to be disrespectful. We are all defective in one way or another. My two oldest are high functioning Autistic and Aspergers. They are now fully integrated in school but this was not the case until a few years ago. My Autistic daughter had to attend special needs classes in different ES every year. There are many different levels from high functioning to non communicative. Those who are serious really need the services. Surely you can see that yourself.
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Post by momto4 on Jul 8, 2009 16:21:12 GMT -5
Legislative Update from State Rep. Darlene Senger
Dear Friends, I have heard from many of you regarding the devastation that will be caused if the state cuts funding to social service providers by 50%. I have been deeply saddened by real-life stories about what these cuts would do to the developmentally disabled, early childhood education, seniors who rely on home health care, battered women, abused children, the homeless, and the mentally ill. Recently in Springfield, I voted for a plan that would have allocated an additional $2.2 billion for existing community service provider contracts. The legislation would have freed up the funds for human service agencies through short-term borrowing without raising taxes on Illinois families. Although it passed in the House, the proposal failed in the Senate, amid rumors that the Governor lobbied against it, despite it being his proposal in the first place. The Governor continues to switch gears by calling for an income tax increase, more spending, less spending and then vetoing a budget bill which is said to contain the funding levels which he initially requested. When we return to Springfield next week, it is absolutely crucial that we have decisive leadership that is focused on a combination of cuts and reforms through bi-partisan negotiations. I will continue to advocate for reforms that will not financially cripple taxpayers during an economic recession or threaten the livelihood of our most vulnerable residents. I introduced legislation to require a 3/5 vote to approve any tax increase. I believe during today's tough economic times when most families are cutting back, we must look at reforms before voting for any type of tax increase. I believe we must reform Medicaid which makes up 40% of the state budget and serves one out of five Illinois residents. While our population has shrunk over the last several years, Medicaid spending has increased by $6 billion. I believe we can save the state money by implementing a managed care program. We can also reform the state's pension system, put a moratorium on all new spending, and enforce furlough days for state employees. We must also apply cuts across the board, instead of cutting off the lifeline to those who need us most. As always, I will continue to stay on top of this issue and will keep you informed of future developments. Sincerely, Darlene Senger State Representative - 96th district
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Post by treehugger on Jul 8, 2009 16:28:36 GMT -5
I find it positively inhumane that social services to people with disabilities are being considered as items that need to be "cut" from a budget. How much is this state spending on pork projects? Probably more than enough to cover and restore necessary social services, and then some. Too many people have their hands in the pot.
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Post by asmodeus on Jul 8, 2009 16:42:47 GMT -5
Brant,
I think that is the main problem. With a finite (and dwindling) amount of money available, it comes down to "lifeboat" ethics. Either we somehow rank every person receiving aid and make a determination of who is worthy of keeping their aid, or we go to the taxpayers and tell them that every single person is worthy so how dare you cut anything. All I'm saying is that I think we do need to go through every program and determine if it is truly necessary, and whether the person receiving the aid could absorb the costs themselves without too much hardship.
Maybe the compromise in Ms. Price's case would be getting to keep the social workers but losing the chiropractor. Or maybe she keeps everything but the person with a drug addiction loses something. The truth of the matter is that when things are going great and money is rolling in, programs are created. When there is a downturn, there needs to be some consideration of cutting those programs.
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Post by lorip on Jul 8, 2009 17:42:48 GMT -5
Maybe the compromise in Ms. Price's case would be getting to keep the social workers but losing the chiropractor. Or maybe she keeps everything but the person with a drug addiction loses something. The truth of the matter is that when things are going great and money is rolling in, programs are created. When there is a downturn, there needs to be some consideration of cutting those programs. The Children's Waiver program includes a supplemental insurance, so that is where the chiropractic care is being picked up. It is up to each individual family on how they use services. One family may utilize a social worker, another a therapist certified in Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy, another may utilize expert speech and language professionals. Whatever the specific situation, each one also receives supplemental insurance. In our case we use it for chiropractic care. Others use it for other medical expenses not covered by traditional insurances. It is also used for prescription coverage for again, drugs that may not be covered by traditional plans. Even though the Sun chose to focus on my family and one other family, this is bigger than that. If we lose these services, our family can and will find a way to muddle through -- we did prior to receiving services and we will if they get cut off. Others, however, are not so fortunate and this might be their only means to pay for such services. That's who I'm fighting for. It's not even about MY child anymore, as I've stated before. It's about the thousands of other children that this is affecting across the entire state. Unfortunately, the Sun chose to focus their attention on our family and one other. Lastly, this is not about a handout. This is about having access to the tools and services these children need. Some points to remember just with autism alone: *90% of costs associated with autism spectrum disorders are in adult services * If we can intervene early enough, ASD symptoms can be improved and even reversed, so * Costs of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention These are from Autism Society of America Web site. Doesn't it just make sense to keep these programs for kids so that they need less help and/or care as adults? I'm working to insure my child is one of the active, productive and independent adults when he grows up. If you cut off these kids' services, you cut off their potential.
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Post by treehugger on Jul 8, 2009 18:18:23 GMT -5
In most cases, the services will go away. Poof, they will disappear. Then, what happens is that even if you can afford them they are not there. Whole agencies are wiped off the map. The irony is that the people who can afford to pay for these services will not get them because they will be eliminated altogether. Whole agencies will cease to exist. The people who cannot afford to get them are screwed as well. More individuals, without rehabilitative services, will wind up in state institutions, which is by far the most expensive and inefficient way to deliver services. Community based and home based services are always the most efficient route to go. At this point determining who gets what based on what they have or don't have is irrelevant. This would be adding another costly layer to the landscape.
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Post by brant on Jul 8, 2009 19:07:42 GMT -5
I find it positively inhumane that social services to people with disabilities are being considered as items that need to be "cut" from a budget. How much is this state spending on pork projects? Probably more than enough to cover and restore necessary social services, and then some. Too many people have their hands in the pot. I completely agree. Having lived in the Chicago area all of my life I am used to corrupt politics. What you find is many politicians don't care about needed social services or education. It all goes to their pork projects. Illinois is really a financally poor state. There is little money and what there is goes into our elected officials pockets. If not for my job I would have left long ago.
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Post by chicoryowl on Jul 8, 2009 19:53:47 GMT -5
My point was not to stifle someone's speech but to suggest I do not believe that the taxpaying public has much sympathy in this economic environment for the type of situation described (which is essentially a disorder characterized by a certain social ineptitude), and Ms. Price is hurting her cause with the histrionics. A certain social ineptitude? This board presents an opportunity for open debate but it should be pointed out that you hurt your cause with your callousness.
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Post by asmodeus on Jul 8, 2009 22:20:05 GMT -5
My point was not to stifle someone's speech but to suggest I do not believe that the taxpaying public has much sympathy in this economic environment for the type of situation described (which is essentially a disorder characterized by a certain social ineptitude), and Ms. Price is hurting her cause with the histrionics. A certain social ineptitude? This board presents an opportunity for open debate but it should be pointed out that you hurt your cause with your callousness. What is the proper description? Difficulty with social interactions?
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