Medicaid Expansion and Crime
Definition
Research finding that expanding healthcare access through Medicaid reduces crime rates, as people with health coverage are less likely to commit crimes due to reduced financial stress, better mental health treatment, and increased opportunity costs of incarceration.
Why This Matters for Louisville
Brookings Institution research shows Medicaid expansion reduced violent crime by 5.8% and property crime by 3%. Healthcare access is crime prevention – one reason Dave’s wellness centers matter for public safety.