An LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine study indicates a huge financial loss from treating gun violence patients. Firearm injuries cost its Level One trauma center more than $ 20 million over a four-year period.
Associate Professor of Clinical Orthopedic Surgery Dr. Christopher Marrero says when victims of firearm-related injuries can not pay their medical expenses, the hospitals write off unpaid medical bills as medical losses and that cost trickles down to you.
“All tax payers bare this burden regardless of whether you know someone that’s been affected by gun violence directly it still takes a toll on you if your a tax payer because you have to supplement these loses,” said Marrero.
The research team conducted a retrospective study on the intake of patients suffering from gunshot wounds from 2016 to 2019. The estimated cost with treatment was $37,602,667, however the hospital only collected $17,293,655 resulting in a net loss of $20,309,0120 over the four years. Medicaid only paid hospitals on average 90 cents for every dollar spent caring for patients.
“Many of the patients were either uninsured or minimally insured with Medicaid. Medicaid does not always cover the total cost associated with gun shot injuries,” said Marrero.
Nonfatal firearm injuries are highest in the South, and Louisiana leads the US in the nonfatal firearm injury rate. The financial impact extends beyond one day care to follow up visits, rehabilitation, and secondary surgeries.
Marrero says further research is needed to find solutions for ever-growing health issue.
“At the end of the day in order for this hospital to and to keep going somebody has to cover that cost and its subsidized by the state of Louisiana in hence the tax payers,” said Marrero.
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