January 2024

Governor Murphy signs law allowing for Presumptive Eligibility for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services 

On January 16th of this year, Governor Murphy signed legislation that will provide greater opportunities for individuals with disabilities to receive those supports and services. Governor Murphy signed legislation that provides for presumptive eligibility for Medicaid home and community-based services for individuals who are likely to be financially and clinically eligible for Medicaid so that these individuals can receive services immediately while their Medicaid application is pending. 

Without presumptive eligibility, many individuals who are hospitalized and awaiting Medicaid eligibility are unable to return to their homes as they are not able to pay for the supports and services that will allow them to return home. Instead, many in this situation end up going to a nursing home, which can provide medical services while Medicaid eligibility is pending and obtain reimbursement once eligibility is determined. With presumptive eligibility, home and community-based providers can begin offering services and supports that allow these individuals to return to their homes, where most individuals wish to be. 

The law is conditional on the Department of Human Services obtaining federal approval, and it allows for a 30-month implementation timeframe in order for the Department of Human Services to seek and obtain the necessary federal approvals.   

Legislative Corner

The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey monitors and addresses a broad range of legislation that relates to brain injury. Legislation listed below has advanced in either the New Jersey State Legislature or United States Congress. We also appreciate those elected officials who support our positions on certain legislation. We acknowledge such support when it occurs through this monthly electronic newsletter.

Please contact Tom Grady, Director of Advocacy and Public Affairs if you would like more information about these bills at tgrady@bianj.org and/or whether you would like to contact your elected representatives to express your views on these bills. 

Bills Advanced

In the New Jersey Legislature

• S2301 / A118 - Provides credits under corporation business tax and gross income tax for qualified wages of certain disabled veterans.

• S2303 / A1581 - Provides gross income tax credit for certain expenses paid or incurred for care and support of qualifying senior family member; designated as Caregiver’s Assistance Act.

• S2323 / A1605 - Requires Division of Developmental Disabilities to make comprehensive list of its programs available to public.

• AJR109 - Establishes “Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizen Transportation Services Task Force” to study and make recommendations concerning ways to improve transportation services for persons with disabilities and senior citizens.

Thank you!

• To Senator James Beach for becoming a prime sponsor of S843 which requires Adjutant General of DMVA create program for veterans to receive evaluation and treatment for PTSD, total brain injury, or traumatic brain injury.

The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey provides a broad range of programs and services. You may learn about these programs and services by clicking HERE.

Alliance to Hold Session Focused on How to Contact

Your State Representatives

From 10:00 - 12:00, Tuesday, February 13, 2024, the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey will be holding a special meeting to educate brain injury advocates on contacting their representatives in the New Jersey State Legislature.

There has been much turnover in the New Jersey State Legislature this year. New - and veteran - representatives may not be familiar with issues affecting people with brain injury. It is important that they know what is important to the brain injury community. This session will provide you with the basic steps to do this.

Objectives are:

* To ensure that you know who your representatives are and how to contact them;

* To provide you with a framework to use when talking to your representatives; and,

* To ask that you encourage representatives to attend our annual Virtual Brain Injury Awareness Day.

You may register for this session HERE.

Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey Conducting Needs Assessment

The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey is conducting a statewide needs assessment on Traumatic Brain Injury and quality of life and access to services amongst survivors, caregivers, and service providers. This study is supported by the Administration for Community Living, Traumatic Brain Injury State Partnership Program Grant and approved by the Rowan University Institutional Review Board (Study # PRO-2022-310).

With this needs assessment, the aim is to better understand the current picture of TBI in the state and direct efforts to areas that are the most in need of attention. The first part of the study will consist of individual surveys conducted online, over the phone, and on paper. After this, there will be focus groups in South, Central, and North Jersey.

The hope is to get a well-represented screenshot of the gaps in TBI services in New Jersey. The direct link to the surveys is HERE.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Sakina Ladha, MD, MPH by email at sladha@bianj.org or by phone at 609-480-2271.