Illinois Law Requires Health Insurers To Cover Autism Treatments

Illinois is poised to become a North American autism treatment leader by requiring insurers to provide coverage, up to $36,000, for autism treatments. CBS2Chicago reports that the Illinois legislation has passed and is awaiting the signature of Governor Rod Blagojevich who applauded the passage of the legislation and who fought for it over the past year.

Here in Canada we have a public health care system but autism treatment is not dealt with by our federal or provincial health departments. Our federal Health Ministers have provided no meaningful assistance or leadership on autism treatment and our provincial governments fund autism treatments, to different degrees, as social services not as medical treatments.

Provincial governments provided autism treatment as a social service to strengthen their positions before the Supreme Court of Canada in the Auton case where the SCC decided that ABA autism treatment was not medically necessary treatment, as defined by the provincial legislature, and for that reason no discrimination contrary to the Canadian Charter of Rights arose. The Court's decision was essentially a bow of deference to the policy making authority of legislatures.

New Brunswick was one of the provinces which adopted the social services characterization autism treatment as the Auton case made its way to the Supreme Court. Here the Department of Health had primary carriage of issues relating to autistic disorders and other autism spectrum disorders. On April 1, 2003 the Minister of Health announced some funding for autism programs in New Brunswick. Shortly thereafter the primary responsibility for autism "services" was transferred to the Department of Family and Community Services (now called the Department of Social Development) where it remains to this day.

Illinois and Governor Blagojevich deserve great credit for their honest and determined effort to provide autism treatment coverage for Illinois children with autism spectrum disorders. Autism treatment is a health and medical treatment not a social service. That autism reality, abandoned in Canada for legal strategic reasons is confirmed in this Illinois legislation

autism

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Quinoa and berry breakfast!

Healthy and delicious way to start another busy day!

I have recently fallen in love with quinoa. I have used it in soups, as a side dish and most recently like grits or oatmeal for breakfast. The great thing about quinoa is it huge nutrient boost. Its protein content is very high (12%–18%). Unlike wheat or rice (which are low in lysine), quinoa contains a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans, making it an unusually complete food. It is a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron. Quinoa is gluten free and considered easy to digest.

With all of this in mind I have been using it when ever I can and the other day I happened upon Heidi's blog at 101 Cookbooks and saw this incredible breakfast recipe using quinoa as the base! My youngest daughter is a tough one to feed breakfast to so I am always looking for something new and healthy and my oldest daughter needs all of the energy foods she can get (with karate and figure skating she burns a lot!). I woke up a little earlier this morning and started cooking. This was a nice easy recipe and I knew how healthy it would be. The recipe easily feeds 4 so there was enough for all of us. Heidi's pictures are way better than mine so be sure to visit her blog to check out the pics!

Can you tell it was pretty early! This is the bright morning sun that shines right onto the pool.

Warm and Nutty Cinnamon Quinoa Recipe (Heidi Swanson - 101 Cookbooks)

Heidi used a red quinoa here, but you can use whatever kind you like, white/buff colored seems to be the most common. Also, a few notes and tips from the book: low-fat soy milk may replace the low fat milk, blueberries may replace the blackberries, dark honey may replace the agave nectar, and walnuts may replace the pecans.

1 cup organic 1% low fat milk
1 cup water
1 cup organic quinoa, (hs note: rinse quinoa)
2 cups fresh blackberries, organic preferred
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted*
4 teaspoons organic agave nectar, such as Madhava brand

Combine milk, water and quinoa in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 15 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Turn off heat; let stand covered 5 minutes. Stir in blackberries and cinnamon; transfer to four bowls and top with pecans. Drizzle 1 teaspoon agave nectar over each serving.

Serves 4.

*While the quinoa cooks, roast the pecans in a 350F degree toaster oven for 5 to 6 minutes or in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 3 minutes.

As Always...

Happy Entertaining!!!

Judy
www.nofearentertaining.com

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