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.
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.
Authors: Steffie Woolhandler; David U Himmelstein; Ronald Distajo; Karen E Lasser; Danny McCormick; David H Bor; Sidney M Wolfe Journal: Int J Health Serv Date: 2005 Impact factor: 1.663
Authors: Yvonne C Jonk; Kathleen Thiede Call; Andrea H Cutting; Heidi O'Connor; Vishakha Bansiya; Kathleen Harrison Journal: Med Care Date: 2005-08 Impact factor: 2.983
Authors: Steven M Asch; Elizabeth A McGlynn; Mary M Hogan; Rodney A Hayward; Paul Shekelle; Lisa Rubenstein; Joan Keesey; John Adams; Eve A Kerr Journal: Ann Intern Med Date: 2004-12-21 Impact factor: 25.391
Authors: Eve A Kerr; Robert B Gerzoff; Sarah L Krein; Joseph V Selby; John D Piette; J David Curb; William H Herman; David G Marrero; K M Venkat Narayan; Monika M Safford; Theodore Thompson; Carol M Mangione Journal: Ann Intern Med Date: 2004-08-17 Impact factor: 25.391