Virginia Advocates Seek Brain Injury Funds

Advocates for people living with serious brain injuries, including those with cerebral palsy, are asking the Virginia government to issue a Medicaid waiver to help cover the cost of day care services, residential options, and job training. Similar waivers are available for people who are disabled, elderly, mentally retarded, have developmental disabilities, or have AIDS.

In the past, people who suffered serious brain injuries—whether at birth, in an accident, or due to a medical condition—did not have a high chance of living for very long. Today, many people with brain injuries-- and related conditions like cerebral palsy-- are living longer and fulfilling lives. Unfortunately, many communities do not have enough resources to help people with cerebral palsy and other brain injuries. This is primarily due to lack of funding and Medicare’s refusal to help bolster these community services.

In Virginia, a similar proposal seeking funds for brain injury survivors was unsuccessful, but many people feel this year will be different. According to Jason Young, chair of the Virginia Alliance of Brain Injury Service Providers, the need for brain injury services is only growing, particularly with the return of Iraq war veterans.

The new proposal will request an initial waiver for 200 people who have survived brain injuries. Legislators Cox and Houck plan to sponsor this bill.

Did your child sustain a brain injury during birth, and now suffers from cerebral palsy? Contact a cerebral palsy attorney who can protect your child's rights and help you obtain compensation for your child's injuries.