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Medicaid Covers Over Half of US Gun Injury Hospital Costs

New study reveals Medicaid covers over 50% of hospital costs for firearm injuries in the US, highlighting healthcare funding challenges and strain on safety-net hospitals.

This research matters because it reveals how taxpayer-funded programs like Medicaid bear the majority of financial burden for treating firearm injuries, highlighting systemic healthcare funding challenges that affect everyone. As safety-net hospitals struggle with rising costs, the availability of emergency care for all Americans—particularly vulnerable populations—could be compromised. The findings underscore the broader societal costs of gun violence beyond immediate trauma, including significant strain on public healthcare resources that could otherwise fund preventive care, education, and other essential services. This financial burden ultimately impacts taxpayers and could lead to reduced healthcare access or increased costs across the system.