Study: One in 10 Veterans Lack Health Insurance (Washing Post)

In a first-ever look at health coverage among veterans, research found 10% are without health insurance. Eligibility for health benefits from the Veterans Health Administration is based on income, injuries sustained in combat and length of service. Those requirements leave 1.3 million veterans and 0.9 million members of their families without health coverage. Uninsured veterans are more likely to be younger, have sustained an injury in combat, have higher rates of unemployment, and are less likely to be married—factors that lower the odds of receiving private coverage. PPACA could help uninsured veterans obtain coverage by opening access to lower-income populations, expanding Medicaid to cover incomes under 133% of the Federal Poverty Line, and qualifying for subsidies to purchase private insurance on the individual market.