US Senate Bill Would Expand Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs

US Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Roger Marshall, MD (R-KS) recently reintroduced the Bipartisan Solution to Cyclical Violence Act.

This important legislation would establish a federal grant program within the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create or expand Hospital-based Violence Intervention Programs (HVIPs) and study the impacts of these programs on re-incarceration and hospital re-admittance rates to determine best practices. The HHS Secretary would award grants at a level of $250,000 to $500,000 per grantee, over a 3-year period, for a total of $10 million.

The ACS has worked extensively to advance a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to reduce the risk factors associated with violent injury, including support for HVIPs. A companion bill is expected to be reintroduced in the US House soon. Previous versions of the bill passed unanimously through the House, and the ACS plan to work with Congressional champions to ensure swift passage of this bipartisan legislation.