CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Presented at the start of the West Virginia legislative session, a bill aimed at providing insurance coverage for autism detection and treatment has seriously changed.

In fact, the bill's original sponsor said the insurance companies have escaped again. The bill he proposed would have provided actual insurance coverage. What's being discussed now, though, has nothing to do with insurance.

Parents of autistic children said people have no idea what autism is like until they live with it. Ginger McAllister, whose son Chase is autistic, deals with it daily.

"I am one of 100," she told state lawmakers. "My future and well-being is in your hands. He is one of thousands."

And just when these parents thought they were one step closer, a proposed bill that would have meant insurance coverage for their children is drastically different. On Wednesday, a committee changed the bill -- no longer asking for insurance companies to cover autism -- but rather for money. That money would help fund a center to help diagnose and treat autistic kids at West Virginia University in Morgantown.

There are concerns about where autistic children would receive treatment elsewhere in West Virginia.

Parents also argue that -- since autism is a neurological disorder like Parkinson's disease -- it should be covered by insurance companies.

Meanwhile, state Delegate Ralph Rodighiero, who has an autistic son himself, said he doesn't think this new version of the bill will make it to the floor of the House.

Advocates for the bill said it would have increased insurance premiums by about $3 a month. Several states have passed legislation to force insurance companies to cover autism.