Sorry this is a very late Veteran's Day post. Due to illness, we've been off line for the most part. I don't think this one will make anyone feel better, however:
Harvard researchers say 1.46 million working-age vets lacked health coverage last year, increasing their death rateA research team at Harvard Medical School estimates 2,266 U.S. military veterans under the age of 65 died last year because they lacked health insurance and thus had reduced access to care. That figure is more than 14 times the number of deaths (155) suffered by U.S. troops in Afghanistan in 2008, and more than twice as many as have died (911 as of Oct. 31) since the war began in 2001.
The researchers, who released their analysis today, pointedly say the health reform legislation pending in the House and Senate will not significantly affect this grim picture.
The Harvard group analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau's March 2009 Current Population Survey, which surveyed Americans about their insurance coverage and veteran status, and found that 1,461,615 veterans between the ages of 18 and 64 were uninsured in 2008. Veterans were only classified as uninsured if they neither had health insurance nor received ongoing care at Veterans Health Administration (VA) hospitals or clinics.
While many Americans believe that all veterans can get care from the VA, even combat veterans may not be able to obtain VA care, Woolhandler said. As a rule, VA facilities provide care for any veteran who is disabled by a condition connected to his or her military service and care for specific medical conditions acquired during military service.
Woolhandler said veterans who pass a means test are eligible for care in VA facilities, but have lower priority status (Priority 5 or 7, depending upon income level). Veterans with higher incomes are classified in the lowest priority group and are not eligible for VA enrollment.
"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, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School who testified before Congress about uninsured veterans in 2007 (tinyurl.com/yej6rnq) and carried out the analysis released today.
"As a result, veterans go without the care they need every day in the U.S., and thousands die each year. It's a disgrace."
5 comments:
Hi Tink, it is a disgrace.
I would like to add here too, that although I did not serve in a time of war, where these Veterans should undoubtedly receive health care, no question. I did not qualify for VA health care benefits after I was discharged. While alot of the general public think that citizens who have served in the Military are well taken care of afterwards, it is such a misconception. It's terrible. These statistics are mindboggling though. wow. Good post.
I love that Flag photo, very cool. I still love my country!
I hope you all are on the mend and feeling good now.
It sounds like they are still giving the ultimate sacrifice for their country...
Very sad, indeed.
On a different note, it's good to hear you and yours are feeling a little more on the up and up!
Have a good weekend.
xx
Yes, this is sad. My husband is a (navy) vet and he's had dealings with medical care with the VA -- it's a lumbering beast of an office to deal with, as I understand it. But we're OK.
I thought you would be interested to know that just this past election day, Ohio passed a special bond issue -- $200 million in bonds especially for our veterans. It passed easily.
Wishing you and the kids a peaceful and serene fall Sunday, Tink.
Hope y'all are feeling better.
- Lucy xo
(have you planted any bulbs, by chance? I'm getting ready to go out and try to find some. I'm late, I know.. )
Thanks Grace, Lucy, and Dale. Here's hoping that things will improve this coming year for everyone! It's just such a shame that this country has gone so pathetically wrong. I still don't get why there was never a national health care plan for those who want it/need it. Looks like Canada and the U.K. could show us a thing or two!
Yah, we're mending slooooowly.
Well, I have a bag of Blue Muscari Armeniacum bulbs to plant. I've had them in a cool place for 2 weeks. Was going to do it last weekend, but it was hard to crawl out of bed let alone dig in the ground outside. lol I'm off tomorrow, and it's supposed to be near 60 here. Then rain for the rest of the week, so tomorrow will be PERFECT for bulbing. Fingers crossed!
Hope you are all well and Grace .. that you are recovering nicely!
xo
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