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Who Dies? A Look at Firearms Death and Injury in America�Revised Edition
An Economic Nightmare
- In 1995, the cost of providing medical care for firearm-related injuries was estimated to be $4 billion�with much of the financial costs passed on to private health insurance subscribers and taxpayers.
- Each bullet sold in the United States carries an injury price tag of almost $23�including 60 cents for medical care and emergency services, $7.20 for lost work, and $15.10 for lost quality of life.
The cost per firearm fatality is higher than for any other type of fatal injury or for any of the other four leading causes of death in America. Subsequently, firearm injuries are more costly compared not only to other injuries, but to illnesses in general.80 In 1995, the cost of providing medical care for firearm-related injuries was estimated to be $4 billion�with much of the financial costs passed on to private health insurance subscribers and taxpayers.81 Annually, each bullet sold in the United States carries an injury price tag of almost $23�including 60 cents for medical care and emergency services, $7.20 for lost work, and $15.10 for lost quality of life.82
These costs represent a huge potential liability for health care providers and payers. Researchers Wendy Max and Dorothy Rice cite an American Surgeon study which found that of patients admitted with intentional injuries at a Los Angeles trauma center, 75 percent of their hospital costs were uncompensated.83 Such a financial burden has forced hospital centers to close the doors of their trauma care centers. During the years studied�1986 and 1988�one-third to two-thirds of these patients suffered gunshot wounds. Donald Trunkey, in his commentary, "Impact of Violence on the Nation's Trauma Care," in the Winter 1993 edition of Health Affairs, cited a national hospital survey which found that 61 trauma centers reported having terminated their services.84 Trunkey noted, "This survey of hospital administrators identified twenty-six factors that may have prompted or contributed to the closure of these trauma centers. Four of the five leading reasons for closure involved costs: the perceived cost of uncompensated care; high operating costs, specifically, costs associated with trauma services; inadequate reimbursement from medical assistance programs; and reduced compensation for trauma patients under the Medicare prospective payment system...."85
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All contents � 1999 Violence Policy Center
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