Uninsured Veterans in the U.S. and Potential For Coverage Gains

The Issue

While the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides coverage to a portion of veterans, eligibility is restricted to those with low incomes or certain priority groups, like those with a service-connected disability.

Key Findings

• Approximately 5% of nonelderly veterans—or 400,000 individuals—will be uninsured in 2024.   
  • More than half (52.3%) of uninsured veterans live in states that have not expanded Medicaid in accordance with the Affordable Care Act: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.  
  • One in 10 (10.1%) uninsured veterans in nonexpansion states would qualify for Medicaid if their state opted to expand.  
• Insured nonelderly veterans will be covered through a range of programs:
  • 57% through their employer 
  • 22% through Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or other military or public coverage 
  • 9.4% through Medicaid 
  • 5.4% will purchase Marketplace coverage with premium tax credits  
• Four in five uninsured veterans had incomes below 400% of the federal poverty level in 2021. 

Conclusion

Veterans make up a sizeable portion of the uninsured population in the United States. Increasing enrollment in Medicaid and Marketplace tax credits is important to ensure they can access the care they need.

About the Author/Grantee

The nonprofit Urban Institute is dedicated to elevating the debate on social and economic policy. For nearly five decades, Urban scholars have conducted research and offered evidence-based solutions that improve lives and strengthen communities across a rapidly urbanizing world. Their objective research helps expand opportunities for all, reduce hardship among the most vulnerable, and strengthen the effectiveness of the public sector. Visit the Urban Institute’s Health Policy Center for more information specific to its staff and its recent research.