Healthcare for U.S. Veterans: Is the system sufficient?

Abstract

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has made a valiant effort at preserving and protecting the health of U.S. veterans, however inefficiencies in the system have resulted in a myriad of problems regarding accessibility. This undermines the entire system and is a disservice to its inhabitants. More effective protocols regarding the claims process, more effective spending, and streamlining the processes that allow active duty member’s access to benefits once they receive civilian status would improve the efficiency and functioning of this system so as to allow more veterans benefits and access. THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA) PURPOSE, INFRASTRUCTURE, FUNCTION, BENEFITS The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the largest integrated healthcare delivery system in the nation (The Department of Veterans Affairs [VA], 2007a), providing care to over five million veterans in it’s more than 800 locations (The Department of Veterans Affairs [VA], 2007b). This organization provides a variety of benefits and services which include but are not limited to in-patient and out-patient medical care, non-institutional care, and nursing home care. Veterans are also entitled to receive disability compensation depending upon the severity of their disability and VA pension. The Department of Veteran Affairs core mission is to provide services for combat veterans that are low income, have special needs (e.g., mental health, substance abuse, chronic health conditions), or have a service or non-service connected disability (The Department of Veterans Affairs [VA], 2007b). Higher income nondisabled veterans are not eligible for these benefits. However, a pair of proposals is being considered that may allow them to participate in the system based upon specific pre-determined criteria (The Department of Veterans Affairs [VA], 2007b). A decision has not been made regarding these proposals and they are currently being considered by legislation (The Department of Veterans Affairs [VA], 2007b). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS All veterans that are low income, special needs, or have suffered a service connected or non-service connected disability are eligible for VA benefits. The following are specific criteria that veterans must meet in order to be eligible (a) veterans must be honorably discharged from service, (b) veterans that have been discharged dishonorably are not eligible for benefits, and (c) veterans that have been imprisoned or paroled may be entitled to certain VA benefits (McMurray-Avila, 2001). Veterans with service connected disabilities are also eligible for disability compensation depending upon the severity of their disability (McMurrayAvila, 2001). Disabilities are rated in 10% increments the higher the rating the more the compensation (McMurrayAvila, 2001). General benefits are available to all enrolled veterans and they include but are not limited to (a) medical and surgical care, (b) hospital, home based care, and outpatient services, and (c) mental health care and substance abuse treatment (McMurray-Avila, 2001).