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Survivor and advocates urge Medicaid coverage for community violence prevention; committee releases bill
Summary
Supporters, including a gun violence survivor and community advocates, told the Assembly Health Committee A.4021 would expand Medicaid coverage for community violence prevention, hospital‑based interventions and training; the committee voted to release the bill with one recorded 'No.'
Supporters of A.4021 told the Assembly Health Committee that Medicaid coverage for community violence prevention services would expand trauma‑informed care and reduce escalation of violence.
Zayed Mohammed, identified as New Jersey strategist for Equal Justice USA and a gun violence survivor, described his 2007 shooting and said hospital‑based violence intervention would have changed his post‑injury experience. He noted that, when A.4021 passed the Senate Health Committee, testimony supported the model and urged the Assembly committee to pass it as well.
Ruth Galpino, state policy advocate at IELTS, described the organization’s community violence work and cited public‑health data including a statewide FBI figure she summarized as about 4.5 victims per 1,000 residents and a Trenton rate she described as 29 per 1,000. Galpino urged certification and training funded through Medicaid to expand access to crisis intervention, peer counseling and trauma‑informed services.
Committee members and the chair listed additional organizations on record in favor. The committee called a motion to release A.4021; roll-call votes were recorded, including at least one 'No' from Assemblyman Peterson, and the bill was released from committee.
The hearing did not include department implementation detail or a formal cost estimate on the record. Committee commentary noted the bill addresses both health and public safety, and sponsors acknowledged follow‑on amendments might be needed.
