Hospital Violence Costs & Report | Rising Attacks
- hospitals incurred $18.3 billion in expenses in 2023 related to violence, including assaults, shootings, and suicides, according to a new American Hospital association (AHA) report.
- The AHA revealed that over $3.6 billion is spent annually on security upgrades,staff training,and policy development to prevent violent incidents.
- The AHA is advocating for stronger legal protections for healthcare workers and renewed its call for the Save Healthcare Workers Act to pass.
The American Hospital Association reports that hospital violence costs U.S.hospitals a staggering $18.3 billion annually. This figure, for 2023, reflects expenses tied to assaults, shootings, and the ripple effects of thes incidents, including meaningful costs dedicated to prevention and recovery efforts. Over $3.6 billion is spent on security upgrades and staff training, yet healthcare costs for victims remain a primary driver, amounting to $14.7 billion. News Directory 3 is following these developments closely. The AHA is strongly advocating for the Save Healthcare Workers Act to enhance legal protections for medical staff and curb workplace violence. What further strategies are being considered to address this critical issue? Discover what’s next.
Hospital Violence Costs US Hospitals $18.3 Billion Annually: AHA Report
Updated June 02,2025
U.S. hospitals incurred $18.3 billion in expenses in 2023 related to violence, including assaults, shootings, and suicides, according to a new American Hospital association (AHA) report. The costs encompass prevention, response, and recovery efforts.
The AHA revealed that over $3.6 billion is spent annually on security upgrades,staff training,and policy development to prevent violent incidents. However, post-incident costs, predominantly healthcare for victims, reached $14.7 billion.
The AHA is advocating for stronger legal protections for healthcare workers and renewed its call for the Save Healthcare Workers Act to pass. The Act would make assaulting a hospital worker a federal crime.
The rise in violence against healthcare workers became more pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic, with providers increasingly targeted.Hospitals also face rising costs related to community violence, treating millions in emergency rooms and increasing security measures.
The AHA report, conducted with the University of Washington School of Medicine’s harborview Injury and Prevention Research Center, highlights the financial strain of hospital violence. A notable portion of the costs, over $13 billion, is attributed to treating victims of both fatal and non-fatal attacks, including care for uninsured patients and underpayments from public insurance.
Indirect costs, such as employee absenteeism and attrition due to violence, add an estimated $541.3 million to the annual burden. The AHA emphasizes the need for legislative action to impose stricter penalties for attacks on healthcare workers, similar to those in the airline industry, to mitigate workplace violence.
“With the increase in violent events within clinical settings across the country, the resources needed to protect hospital workers and care for victims has grown exponentially,” said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. “Every member of the health care team bears an enormous risk and burden of this violence. This report is yet another reminder we must do more to protect them.”
What’s next
The AHA will continue to lobby for the Save Healthcare Workers Act and advocate for increased resources to protect hospital staff and patients from community violence.