Nashville, Tennessee – A recent working paper by four scholars suggests that access to health insurance may have a significant impact on reducing crime rates in the United States. The study examined the effects of one of the largest Medicaid disenrollments in U.S. history, which occurred in Tennessee in 2005, leading to approximately 190,000 nonelderly and nondisabled adults without dependents losing their coverage at that time.
According to the researchers, the loss of Medicaid coverage resulted in indirect societal costs, particularly evident in policing data that showed a correlation between the mass loss of insurance and increased crime rates. The study highlighted that in the median county, crime rates surged by 16.6%, accompanied by a 20.6% increase in violent crime and a 14.1% increase in nonviolent crime following the Medicaid disenrollment.
The scholars emphasized the negative consequences that recent and proposed policies, leading to Americans losing Medicaid and other insurance, could have on communities across the country. They noted that crime not only impacts government budgets but also affects crime victims and society at large. The findings from the study challenge historical trends and suggest that such policies may have unexpected and adverse effects on communities nationwide.
The study’s authors bring attention to the potential ramifications of policies that result in a reduction of health insurance coverage for Americans, indicating that this may have broader implications beyond individual health outcomes. By analyzing the aftermath of the Medicaid disenrollment in Tennessee in 2005, the researchers shed light on the interconnectedness between access to health insurance and societal well-being, particularly in relation to crime rates.
Overall, the study serves as a reminder of the intricate relationship between health insurance, social policies, and community outcomes, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of how changes in healthcare coverage can impact various aspects of society. The findings underscore the importance of considering the far-reaching effects of policies that influence access to healthcare and the potential ripple effects on communities and public safety.