Full Citation

Title: The Individual Health Insurance Mandate and Veterans Health Coverage

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2021

ISBN:

ISSN: 0095-327X

DOI: 10.1177/0095327X19878874

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Abstract: In December 2017, Congress repealed the individual insurance mandate penalty. Given the poor health status of veterans, their higher demands for health insurance, and the substantial number of uninsured veterans, the repeal of the individual mandate should have a significant impact on the veterans. This article investigates how the repeal of the individual mandate effective in January 2019 is likely to affect the number of uninsured veterans and their enrollments in Veterans Affairs (VA) insurance. By analyzing 52,692 nonelderly veterans in Florida and California from 2008 to 2017, the findings suggest that the repeal will lead to a considerable increase in the number of uninsured veterans. Veterans who are unemployed, poor, and suffering disabilities are more likely to sign up for the VA insurance than better-off veterans. Thus, one of the important functions of veteran health care is to serve as a social safety net for vulnerable veterans. Thus, the Veterans Health Administration should establish a policy to minimize the expected negative repercussions of the repeal.

Url: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0095327X19878874

Url: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0095327X19878874

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Authors: Oh, Dongjin; Berry, Frances Stokes

Periodical (Full): Armed Forces & Society

Issue: 2

Volume: 47

Pages: 248-275

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Other, Population Health and Health Systems

Countries: