Uninsured rate high among young veterans

[unhappycamper]

http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/news/uninsured-rate-high-among-young-veterans/nTQSW/



Matt Lowe of Trenton is a U.S. Navy veteran who deployed aboard the USS Denver in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq) and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). He left the Navy in March after nine years in uniform and did not know for months he qualified for VA health care to treat service-connected injuries.

Uninsured rate high among young veterans
By Barrie Barber

TRENTON — Matthew Lowe left the Navy in March and didn’t know for months he could receive free health care for five years after defending his country aboard the USS Denver.

The 29-year-old Trenton man found out by chance about the Department of Veterans Affairs benefit through word of mouth.

Lowe isn’t alone: About 26 percent of veterans who served in connection with Iraq and Afghanistan tours of duty don’t have health insurance, according to a McClatchy News Service analysis of VA data.

The 2010 National Survey of Veterans, released by the VA, showed 21.2 percent of veterans under the age of 65 did not have health insurance compared to 13 percent of veterans from all eras. The survey also reported 42 percent of veterans had never used VA health care and weren’t aware of the benefits and 26 percent did not know how to apply.



unhappycamper comment: The Veterans Administration has been delivering good care to veterans despite being hamstrung by budget concerns.

This camper's take: If you make veterans, take care of them after they are damaged by their military service. AND FUCKING TELL THEM THEY HAVE MEDICAL CARE THRU THE VETERAN'S ADMINISTRATION WHEN YOU MUSTER THEM OUT.

[WooWooWoo]

1. you should know this

it's part of the separation process now. It's discussed at various briefs. If anyone doesn't know, it's because they weren't paying attention.