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Study: Thousands of Vets Die Because They Lack Health Insurance Posted on 11/11/2009
According to a new study, more than 2,266 veterans died in 2008 because they lacked health insurance.
The Harvard Medical School examined data from the Census Bureau's March 2009 Current Population Survey.
1.4 Million Vets Uninsured The researchers found that in 2008, 1,461,615 veterans ages 18 to 64 were uninsured.
The Department of Veterans Affairs extends health care services only to veterans who become disabled as a result of military service.
Greater Risk of Death In prior research, the study found that people without health insurance have a 40% greater risk of death compared with those who have coverage.
The researchers used this formula to determine that 2,266 veterans died in 2008 because they lacked insurance coverage.
Dr. Woolhandler Comments Dr. Steffie Woolhandler, one of the study's three researchers, said most uninsured veterans are working people who cannot afford private coverage but who also do not qualify for Medicaid or VA care.
Woolhander said, "Uninsured veterans are a stain on America's flag."
Dr. Woolhandler said, "It's particularly striking that a combat veteran who has already served his country is denied [adequate] health care."
David Himmelstein, co-author of the study, noted that current health care reform proposals do not adequately expand health care coverage for veterans.
They warned that the health care legislation "would do virtually nothing for the uninsured until 2013" and would "leave at least 17 million uninsured over the long run when reform kicks in," leaving many veterans still without care.
