AHA Statement on Bipartisan Package to Reduce Gun Violence

Rick Pollack
President and CEO
American Hospital Association

June 14, 2022

The AHA supports this bipartisan package to help reduce violence in our communities. As cornerstones of our communities, hospitals, health systems and our caregivers see the very real and heartbreaking results of violence and have long worked with their communities and other stakeholders on programs that lower the risk of all kinds of violence. As we have tragically experienced far too many times in recent weeks, violence is a major threat to the public health of our nation.

This bipartisan proposal includes some important provisions that would strengthen our country's ability to combat violence. Importantly, it makes critical investments in behavioral health care, including funding for school safety resources, school-based supportive services and expanded access to telehealth for mental and behavioral health services.

To advance the health of America, we urge swift passage of the bipartisan package this work period.

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Contact:    Colin Milligan, cmilligan@aha.org
                  Sean Barry, sbarry@aha.org