Rising Number Of Veterans Are Uninsured

About 1 In 8 U.S. Veterans Under 65 Uninsured; Many Ineligible For VA Care

(AP)  About one of every eight veterans under the age of 65 is uninsured, a finding that contradicts the assumption many have that all vets qualify for free health care through the Veterans Affairs Department, says a new study.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School projected that about 1.8 million veterans overall lack health coverage. That's an increase of 290,000 since 2000. The researchers said most uninsured veterans are in the middle class and are ineligible for VA care because of their incomes. Still others cannot afford their co-payments, or lack VA facilities in their community.

"Like other uninsured Americans, most uninsured vets are working people, too poor to afford private coverage but not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid or means-tested VA care," said Dr. Steffie Woolhandler, an associate professor and a physician at the Cambridge Health Alliance.

The study is based on an analysis of government surveys released between 1988 and 2005. Veterans do fare better than the overall population when it comes to obtaining health insurance. Still, the Harvard researchers said the rising number of uninsured vets points to the need for more funding for the VA. The best solution, they said, would be for universal health coverage in the United States.

"Only the government can put men and women into military service and only the government can guarantee that they are covered after they serve," said Dr. Jeffrey Scavron.

The study notes that the VA in January 2003 ordered a halt to the enrollment of most veterans who are not poor. The move was designed to reduce the backlog of patients waiting for care.

But Peter Gaytan, who monitors veterans' issues for the American Legion, said veterans now make as little as about $24,000 a year in some regions and still do not qualify for health coverage from the VA.

"That decision created a large number of veterans who have served in the U.S. military who are denied access," Gaytan said.

Gaytan said the number of uninsured vets could rise in coming years if soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq have trouble getting back their old jobs.

"It will be an increasing issue that needs to be dealt with," Gaytan predicted.

[michellem99-2009]

Thank ye vets..Yer need that care..GET IT..Yer earnt it..

[gunnerv1]

And just what Benefits do you think that you qualify for when you are discharged from the service (Not Retired) if you have no injuries? None, and you also don''t deserve any. It''s not a free ride. I retired after 21 years and 30% disability, The VA only treats the disabilities, for anything else I go to my regular Doctor and pay my Co-Pay. All service people have availed to them the option of continueing their SGLI life insurance over into the Civilan world if the care to. PETESIS-Next time carry you DD214 with you, it''s proof positive that you are a vet!

[grammawhamma]

JEGibbons: I want to thank you for your service to our country. My husband was also a Vietnam vet. There is a long list of medical conditions that the government is now aknowledging as being related to agent orange exposure. Check at your local VA to see if any of it applies to you. Good luck and thank you again.

[michellem99-2009]

Yer right the poor vets can''t get medicaid..The co pays I know nothing about..My Dad and room mate get care at VAMCs and no co pays..Look into the care and yer raised yer paw and not dishonorable then ye should..Yer earnt that care..

[kansas1946]

I think you vets, if you supported Bush, should rethink your political alliances. Republicans seem to talk a big game about patriotism, supporting the troops, etc., but when they are asked to write a check for their care, they seem to suffer from ammnesia. Bush has been the worst thing to happen to the military in the history of the US.

[jegibbons]

I am a Viet Nam war veteran. I''m retired, I count myself fortunate to live in an area where Veteran Hospitals and services are readily available, however my co-payments are substantial. Much as the co-payments were when I was working a full time job, my co-payments are similar to a private health insurance plan, however now my income is substantially lower. Therein lies a problem, the income low limits are unrealistically too low to qualify for low or no co-payments. My experience with VA health care is first rate, I just wish it cost me less. I''m sure I''m not alone in this complaint.

[jacksteen1]

You idiots that voted for Bush and Reagan did this to yourselves.

Save the tadpole babies and keep the ******* and kweers down - and oh, by the way - we Republiscum Party members don''t especially like funding veteran''s stuff. *******.

Make sure you vote for Guiliani or the mormon in November of 2008, losers!

[ioweign]

Another shining example of how we take care of the rest of the world and not our own veterans.

Posted by simonsez40 at 03:33 PM : Oct 31, 2007

And children !!

[rickstas]

They should vote for Hillary Clinton.

[bks59]

I understand that VA facilities very greatly from region to region, therefore their co-pays will very greatly too, however any vet with an honorable discharge can get care at a VA Medical Center. I know too that when calling you will be told no, keep trying. I have been receiving wonderful care at the Minneapolis facility, when i talk with the nurse of my primary care physican, her response continues to be the same, if you show up you will be treated, be persistant, keep contacting you will be accepted and once in the system I suspect you will receive good care.

[petesis]

I am a combat era vet and I am not eligible for VA. I got out after 8 and that is it. Cut the cord. Alot of people assume you are eligible. I really liked it when Home Depot gave a 10% discount for veterans and I went to get it and they said I was not qualified because I did not have an ID. I told them I was a Vet of two foreign engagements but that I did not retire so I do not have ID as anything other than a citizen. I was really mad. Most Vets have no benefits at all.

[simonsez40]

Another shining example of how we take care of the rest of the world and not our own veterans.

[klingon69]

As a non-combat era veteran, I have never been eligible for VA medical help.