American Medical Association applauds bipartisan gun deal

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The American Medical Association is praising a bipartisan gun proposal that would give grants to states for red flag laws, provide spending for mental health treatment and school security and give extra scrutiny for gun buyers under the age of 21, according to Politico. 

Ten Republican senators signed on to the Senate proposal released Sunday, which means that legislation based on the proposal could get the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster.

"Today's bipartisan blueprint to address gun violence is a breakthrough that shows compromise is possible, common ground can be reached, and that Congress can take common sense steps to keep deadly weapons out of the hands of people who are a significant danger to themselves or others. This agreement will save lives," AMA President Dr. Gerald E. Harmon said in opening remarks to the AMA House of Delegates on Friday. "The measures announced today must be only a first step in confronting the public health crisis of gun violence."

Harmon urged all senators to support the deal to prevent the type of violence physicians see on a daily basis in emergency departments, trauma centers and morgues, he said.
 
The gun safety legislative proposal, led by Sens. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, marks a significant breakthrough, according to Politico. The Los Angeles Times called it modest gun restrictions.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has offered his endorsement and vowed to put the measure on the floor, Politico said.

President Joe Biden has said he would sign it, according to The Hill.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Physicians and several hospital CEOs and executives have come out in support of gun safety legislation since the shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York.   

Top executives from Northwell Health, Kaiser Permanente and Children's Minnesota were among hundreds of corporate leaders urging the Senate to pass gun safety legislation in a letter sent to lawmakers Thursday. 

Kaiser Permanente said it is establishing a new Center for Gun Violence Research and Education that will focus on gun violence prevention.

THE LARGER TREND

Hospital costs for initial gun injury care are estimated at more than $1 billion a year. This represents about 30,000 hospital stays and 50,000 emergency room visits, said Dr. Paul B. Hofmann, president of the Hofmann Healthcare Group, writing in an AHA blog posting on Friday.

Hofmann said hospitals and health systems are taking steps on violence prevention. The University of Maryland Medical Center has a Shock Trauma program to reduce reinjury rates in recognition that those with a history of violent injury are usually 45% more likely to be readmitted with another such injury within five years. 

Temple University Hospital in Pennsylvania treated more than 850 shooting victims in 2021, the highest number of any Level I trauma center in Pennsylvania, according to Hofmann. It initiated a Fighting Chance program to teach community members how to provide basic first aid to victims of gunshot wounds and developed a plan focused on at-risk youth to help break the cycle of gun violence, among other programs.

"From the perspective of healthcare providers, the most critical issue is what more can be done to lower the daily carnage felt most at the local level," Hofmann said.

Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: SMorse@himss.org