The Past Present and Future of Veterans Health Care Research Paper

The Past Present and Future of Veterans Health Care - Research Paper Example While the benefit is one not enjoyed by all Americans, the veterans' health care system has had its difficulties in providing good health care for those afforded the privilege. In the past there has been many issues with the cleanliness and availability of the services that had been promised. In addition, the issue of veterans' of heath care benefits is often up for both media and political review, threatening the whole system. However, there is evidence to show that the VA health care system is the finest in the United States and with better funding should serve as an example of how government run health care can save an inadequate health care system through privatizing. The biggest problem within the VA is that it is under funded. In a world where volunteering for service is not top on the career moves of most young men and where the draft is no longer being used, maintaining a health care system for those who have dutifully served and may need continuing care afterward is the one of the few ways in which men and women of the service are given proper acknowledgement for the gift that they given to their country. Overview The need for a better health care system for all citizens points to the need for a more approachable system of health care for those in military service. The health care that is provided for veterans' is defined by an as needed basis, but in remembering the nature of illness, one must remember that to wait to get service is to continue to suffer without care. Many appointments are not available for as long as a year, in which the medical issue can be expanded and then require more care than was originally needed had the patient been able to receive care at an earlier time (Gayton & Borden, 2008, p. 7). One advantage to the system is that it is also based on income so that those who have the complication of low income with medical needs can be seen sooner than those with resources from outside of the VA. History Throughout the history of the U nited States, medical benefits have been supported by the government for those who have fought in the service of the country. After the American Revolution, hospitals were erected by the government to treat soldiers in need of care after fighting for the right to be a country. In 1930, the government formalized veterans' benefits so that law could govern the care of soldiers. The unfortunate history of VA health care benefits is defined by a shortage of resources in which to service all of those who are in need. In 1930 there were 45 veterans' hospitals with 54 regional offices, but by 1948, after the end of World War II there were 125 hospitals with 102,200 beds, but there were still 20,700 soldiers in need of admission, but without the beds to service them (Gayton & Borden, 2008, p. 7). Background Current eligibility for veterans' health care benefits are based upon the: serving in military, navel or air service and being honorably discharged or having been a reservist who was cal led to active duty and completed the full call-up period. If not, one of the following might be true: the soldier was discharged or separated for medical reasons, the soldier served in combat operations within the last five years, the soldier had a non-pre-existing disability, the soldier was a prisoner of war, received a purple heart, was previously eligible for VA benefits, or receives state Medicaid benefits. After these qualifications are investigated other criteria might be used to situationally determine whether or not benefits are applicable (United States Department of Veteran Affairs, 2011).1 The highest priority for eligibility are those who have