By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Getting Veterans Off Medicaid
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Getting Veterans Off Medicaid
Policy & Law

Getting Veterans Off Medicaid

DavidEWilliams
DavidEWilliams
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

As states grapple with growing Medicaid costs in an era of sluggish economic growth and antipathy to taxes, they are very pleased when they find a way to increase benefits to citizens while reducing their own expenditures. I predict many states will follow the example of Washington, which since 2003 has run a program to identify Medicaid enrollees who are eligible for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

As states grapple with growing Medicaid costs in an era of sluggish economic growth and antipathy to taxes, they are very pleased when they find a way to increase benefits to citizens while reducing their own expenditures. I predict many states will follow the example of Washington, which since 2003 has run a program to identify Medicaid enrollees who are eligible for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Surprisingly (to me anyway) there are numerous veterans who end up on Medicaid instead of turning to the VA system, which offers richer benefits. For example, some veterans qualify for the VA’s Aid and Attendance Pension, which helps low-income veterans and widows receive long-term care in their home or an institution. Medicaid may attempt to recover costs by going after an enrollee’s estate, while the VA doesn’t. And the VA may also provide a pension for elderly and disabled veterans and their survivors, and a death benefit.

The state of Washington considers its efforts a “win-win” that offers enhanced benefits to veterans while achieving $30 million of cost avoidance for the state (which pays a share of Medicaid benefits but not VA benefits). As the number of people eligible for Medicaid expands under the Affordable Care Act, I’m sure Washington and other states will find ways to achieve even greater savings by diverting potential Medicaid enrollees into VA programs.

More Read

water sports
Positive Effects of Water Sports On Your Body And Mind
Not Surprising That Sick People Aren’t Always Happy About Costs
Will Voters Figure Out Senator’s Healthcare Stance in Ultra-Close Senate Race?
8 Reasons To Have A Career In Healthcare
One More Way ObamaCare May Lead to Single Payer

I’m completely in favor of this program and believe that veterans should receive all the benefits they have earned. However, as a society we should do more to recognize the full cost of our military policy. Cost accounting for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars should include the long-term VA and other costs of returning veterans, and the state of Washington should also at least acknowledge what the increased impact is on the federal budget. If every state followed Washington’s example, taxpayers would pay more money not less, as any reduction in state spending is more than made up for by increases on the federal side. I’d also like to see unclaimed benefits estimated and publicized.


TAGGED:MedicaidVAVeterans Health Administration
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025

You Might also Like

FDA Social Media Guidance: Hangout on Air

July 29, 2014

Can a Mandated Health Benefit Violate a Corporation’s Religious Freedom?

January 22, 2014
Tips for Dealing With Difficult Patients
Medical EthicsWellness

Tips for Dealing with Difficult Patients

March 2, 2016
hand-1137978_1920
Health ReformPolicy & Law

Is Time Running Out for CO-OPs?

February 26, 2016
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?