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The new order expands federal funding to support prevention efforts.
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration just announced a new executive order aimed at violence prevention, treating gun violence like a public health crisis. But what does this mean for us here in the DMV?
Similar to an infectious disease — or as some compare it, a cancer — violence can spread. Health experts suggest that to prevent it, we need to examine its root causes and focus on healing. Until now, however, there has been little federal funding, like Medicaid, to pay professionals for gun violence prevention efforts.
Currently, only eight states have programs that use Medicaid federal funding to support workers in reducing gun violence, including Maryland. The new executive order aims to expand this initiative, encouraging local governments to utilize these funds.
WUSA9 spoke with Fatimah Loren Dreier, executive director of the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention, who played a role in getting the order signed. She explained how this change impacts victims of violence at hospitals.
“Shooting victims often come in and are discharged like they have a broken arm,” Dreier said. “We're working to grow these interventions so they're available at all hospitals. Our goal is to ensure anyone who’s experienced violence has access to comprehensive care that addresses the root causes and helps them succeed post-discharge,” she said.
This is where a counselor or support worker from the community may step in to help break the cycle of violence.
In terms of violent crime, data shows that incidents in D.C. decreased in the first half of this year compared to 2023, including homicides and assaults. However, 2023 saw the largest spike in violent crime of any major U.S. city.
The Health Alliance tells us that D.C. could greatly benefit from comprehensive hospital-based care for victims of violence, and they’re actively working on it. The new executive order could help advance these efforts, we’ll continue to monitor developments.
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