More cash-strapped states are moving military veterans from state Medicaid coverage and enrolling them under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' coverage in efforts to save money, according to a Bellingham Herald news report.
Switching the veterans' enrollment doesn't reduce overall healthcare spending but merely shifts healthcare costs from states' budgets to the federal budget. Washington, which was the first state to implement such a cost-shifting measure in 2003, reportedly saved $27 million by switching veterans to VA's rolls. Washington's program also allows veterans to enjoy "more generous" health coverage, according to the news report.
Other states, including Arizona, California and Texas, are on track to implement similar cost-shifting programs.
Read the Bellingham Herald news report about veterans' healthcare.
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Switching the veterans' enrollment doesn't reduce overall healthcare spending but merely shifts healthcare costs from states' budgets to the federal budget. Washington, which was the first state to implement such a cost-shifting measure in 2003, reportedly saved $27 million by switching veterans to VA's rolls. Washington's program also allows veterans to enjoy "more generous" health coverage, according to the news report.
Other states, including Arizona, California and Texas, are on track to implement similar cost-shifting programs.
Read the Bellingham Herald news report about veterans' healthcare.
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