From what I gather, the family had to pay all costs, although I'm not sure, the article wasn't clear. But it does seem to say that being unable to afford a brainscan, he never got one.
Compare to this article posted by DennisW
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/941838/posts Group joins bid to keep (illegal im)migrant in Stuart hospital ($1,000,000 spent)
Well I sure hope the family had one heck of a good insurance policy!!! 19 years? The cost must have been astronomical!