Overview

Title

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to prohibit Federal financial participation for gun violence prevention or intervention programs under the Medicaid program.

ELI5 AI

H. R. 10299 wants to stop the government from paying for programs that help prevent gun violence using Medicaid money. This means that states would have to find other ways to pay for these programs themselves.

Summary AI

H. R. 10299 seeks to modify title XIX of the Social Security Act to stop the use of Federal funds for gun violence prevention or intervention programs under Medicaid. It was introduced by Mr. Clyde and several other representatives and has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The bill specifically amends Section 1903(i) of the Social Security Act to include a new paragraph that prevents federal financial support for such programs, aiming to ensure Medicaid funds are not used for these purposes.

Published

2024-12-05
Congress: 118
Session: 2
Chamber: HOUSE
Status: Introduced in House
Date: 2024-12-05
Package ID: BILLS-118hr10299ih

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
2
Words:
383
Pages:
2
Sentences:
7

Language

Nouns: 143
Verbs: 16
Adjectives: 10
Adverbs: 0
Numbers: 18
Entities: 61

Complexity

Average Token Length:
3.85
Average Sentence Length:
54.71
Token Entropy:
4.36
Readability (ARI):
27.05

AnalysisAI

The proposed bill, titled the "Medicaid Funds Integrity Act of 2024," seeks to amend the Social Security Act by prohibiting the use of federal funds from the Medicaid program for gun violence prevention or intervention programs. This legislative proposal was introduced to the House of Representatives and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

General Summary of the Bill

The central aim of this bill is to halt federal financial support through Medicaid for any programs specifically targeting gun violence prevention or intervention. This would mean that Medicaid funds could not be used to finance initiatives that aim to reduce gun-related injuries and deaths, potentially affecting the availability and sustainability of such programs.

Summary of Significant Issues

One of the significant issues raised by this bill is the potential financial strain it may place on state governments. Without federal backing through Medicaid, states may struggle to independently fund gun violence prevention programs. This financial challenge could lead to a reduction in the availability of these crucial services, which could play a vital role in reducing gun-related injuries and healthcare costs.

Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding the disproportionate impact this prohibition could have on certain communities. Vulnerable populations, who often rely heavily on such interventions to address gun violence in their areas, may find themselves without necessary resources. As a result, issues of equity and fairness come into play, potentially exacerbating social inequalities.

Impact on the Public

Broadly, the bill could lead to significant public health implications. By removing federal financial support for these prevention and intervention programs, there may be a rise in gun-related injuries and fatalities. This increase could also result in higher healthcare costs in the long run, outweighing any immediate savings the bill aims to achieve by cutting federal funding. The broader public might experience an environment with less structured intervention against gun violence, thereby affecting overall community safety and well-being.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

Specific stakeholders, such as state governments and local communities, may be particularly affected by this legislation. States would be forced to either find alternative funding sources or reduce the scope of their gun violence prevention efforts. This could place a heavy burden on already stretched state budgets, forcing difficult decisions about public health priorities.

For communities heavily impacted by gun violence, this bill could remove vital programs that contribute to safety and stability. Such communities are at risk of bearing the brunt of increased violence, without the support of programs that help mitigate these issues.

On the other hand, proponents of the bill may argue that removing Medicaid funding for gun violence programs reflects a reallocation of resources to more traditional healthcare services. They may posit that Medicaid should focus strictly on medical and health-related services rather than stretching into social issues.

In conclusion, while the "Medicaid Funds Integrity Act of 2024" seeks to regulate the scope of federal Medicaid funding, it brings to light several concerns regarding public health, equity, and financial implications at the state level. It prompts important discussions about the role of federal funds in supporting gun violence prevention initiatives and their broader impact on community health and safety.

Issues

  • The amendment in Section 2 to prohibit federal financial participation for gun violence prevention or intervention programs under Medicaid could lead to financial challenges for states. Without federal support, states might struggle to fund these programs, which could be essential for reducing gun-related injuries and subsequently lowering healthcare costs.

  • The prohibition in Section 2 may disproportionately impact communities relying on these programs to address gun violence. This raises concerns about equity and fairness, as vulnerable populations could be left without necessary interventions.

  • While Section 2's language is clear, the broader public health implications of prohibiting funding for gun violence prevention and intervention programs should be examined closely. The long-term costs and outcomes associated with increased gun violence might outweigh the immediate savings from such a prohibition.

  • The short title provided in Section 1 offers no insight into the bill's potential impacts or issues, as it merely lists the title without specific provisions to evaluate.

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

1. Short title Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The first section of this act explains that the official short title for the legislation is the “Medicaid Funds Integrity Act of 2024”.

2. Prohibiting Federal financial participation for gun violence prevention or intervention programs under the Medicaid program Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The section amends the Social Security Act to prohibit the use of federal funds from the Medicaid program for gun violence prevention or intervention programs.