Lack of health coverage among US veterans from 1987 to 2004.
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| Title: | Lack of health coverage among US veterans from 1987 to 2004. |
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| Authors: | Himmelstein DU (AUTHOR), Lasser KE (AUTHOR), McCormick D (AUTHOR), Bor DH (AUTHOR), Boyd JW (AUTHOR), Woolhandler S (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | American Journal of Public Health. Dec2007, Vol. 97 Issue 12, p2199-2203. 5p. |
| Subjects: | Medically uninsured persons, Medical care of veterans, Medical care of poor people, Health services accessibility, United States. Veterans Health Administration |
| Geographic Terms: | United States |
| Abstract: | OBJECTIVES: Veterans Administration health care enrollment is restricted to veterans with service-connected problems and those who are poor. We sought to determine how many veterans were uninsured, trends in veterans' coverage, and whether uninsured veterans lacked access to medical care. METHODS: We analyzed annual data from 2 federal surveys, the Current Population Survey for the years 1988 to 2005 and the National Health Interview Survey for 2002 to 2004. RESULTS: Nearly 1.8 million veterans were uninsured and not receiving Veterans Administration care in 2004. The proportion of working-age veterans lacking coverage peaked in 1993 at 14.2%, fell to 9.9% in 2000, and rose steadily to 12.7% in 2004. Uninsured veterans had substantial access problems; 51.4% had no usual source of care (vs 8.9% of insured veterans), and 26.5% reported failing to get needed care because of the cost (vs 4.3% of insured veterans). CONCLUSIONS: Many US veterans are uninsured and lack adequate access to health care. Expanded funding for veterans' care is urgently needed; only national health insurance could guarantee coverage to both veterans and their family members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | OBJECTIVES: Veterans Administration health care enrollment is restricted to veterans with service-connected problems and those who are poor. We sought to determine how many veterans were uninsured, trends in veterans' coverage, and whether uninsured veterans lacked access to medical care. METHODS: We analyzed annual data from 2 federal surveys, the Current Population Survey for the years 1988 to 2005 and the National Health Interview Survey for 2002 to 2004. RESULTS: Nearly 1.8 million veterans were uninsured and not receiving Veterans Administration care in 2004. The proportion of working-age veterans lacking coverage peaked in 1993 at 14.2%, fell to 9.9% in 2000, and rose steadily to 12.7% in 2004. Uninsured veterans had substantial access problems; 51.4% had no usual source of care (vs 8.9% of insured veterans), and 26.5% reported failing to get needed care because of the cost (vs 4.3% of insured veterans). CONCLUSIONS: Many US veterans are uninsured and lack adequate access to health care. Expanded funding for veterans' care is urgently needed; only national health insurance could guarantee coverage to both veterans and their family members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 00900036 |
| DOI: | 10.2105/AJPH.2006.106302 |
