Military Veterans' Barriers to Healthcare Access: Lessons from Arkansas

• In Event: 049 - Section on Peace, War and Social Conflict Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Section on Peace, War and Social Conflict Roundtables (one-hour). Table 01. Military Organization and Personnel

Abstract

Numerous sources point to the difficulties U.S. military veterans experience when attempting to access physical and mental healthcare provided by the government to veterans. This paper addresses some of the specific structural, cultural, and bureaucratic barriers to benefit use and present particular policy recommendations to improve veteran benefit access. Using qualitative interviews with thirty Arkansas veterans of the post-9/11 U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, this research reveals that veterans need militaries that not only provide benefits, but also which present end-of-duty training for accessing these benefits. Additionally, increases in military benefits during this time period were not understood or accessible to all, and distinctions must be made based on time of exit from active duty service. Finally, the ongoing delays in the Department of Veterans’ Affairs processing of claims and its inability to consistently provide timely care has had negative impact on many veterans, especially those from rural areas and who are socioeconomically disadvantaged.

Authors

• Lisa A. Leitz, Hendrix College

• Benjamin Thomas, Hendrix College

• Alison Pope, Hendrix College