SHAFAQNA (Shia News Association) — According to Veterans Affairs - the body of the US military responsible for collecting information on war veterans - nearly 1.3 million war veterans have no health coverage...
The research used by the think thank that is based in Utah’s Urban Institute used census data of veterans between the ages of 19 and 64.
It was previously believed that war veterans - compared to the average citizen - were more likely to have health coverage given their above-average retirement perks. However, the study found that only 1 in 10 veterans actually opted for health coverage, prompting questions over the affordability of such institutions.
“They are disproportionately younger, and they appear to have served more recently,” said Genevieve Kenney, a senior fellow with the Urban Institute and co-author of the report.
Contrary to popular belief, war veterans are not automatically enrolled into healthcare coverage - though they do enjoy extra post-retirement perks.
According to Jacob Gladd, deputy director of the think thank, only those that are severely injured on duty, or those that have served for a certain amount of time.
“We are worried about the other half, whether they know if benefits are available to them,” Gadd said. — www.shafaqna.com
