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Veterans

Taking Care of America's Veterans: Challenges and Efforts to Address Unemployment, Homelessness, and Healthcare Access

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the United States marks Veterans Day, the challenges facing its veterans are stark. With over 2 million men and women deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, many have returned home to battle unemployment, homelessness, and poor access to healthcare. According to a recent study, 200,000 veterans are among the homeless, a quarter of the men who are homeless being veterans. Despite efforts to address these issues, the backlog of claims and long wait times for services remain a significant concern.

Key Takeaways:

  • The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is increasing access to services for all veterans, including those from Vietnam, Gulf Wars, and Iraq and Afghanistan.
  • The VA aims to end homelessness among veterans in five years, with a focus on getting veterans off the streets and into transitional housing, providing healthcare, and helping them find employment.
  • The VA has hired over 4,000 new claims processors and is implementing electronic medical records and a partnership with the Department of Defense to streamline the transition process.
  • The president's veteran employment initiative is crucial in getting veterans into good jobs and affording them a chance to buy homes and achieve the American dream.
  • The number of homeless veterans has decreased from 131,000 18 months ago to 107,000 currently, with the goal of reaching zero in five years.

Statistics:

  • 2 million+ men and women have deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan (MSNBC, November 11, 2010).
  • 200,000 veterans among the homeless, with a quarter being men (new study, November 11, 2010).
  • 400,000 veterans receiving G.I. Bill benefits to go to school (MSNBC, November 11, 2010).
  • 131,000 homeless veterans (18 months ago) (MJ. DUCKWORTH, MSNBC, November 11, 2010).
  • 107,000 homeless veterans (current) (MJ. DUCKWORTH, MSNBC, November 11, 2010).
  • 4,000+ new claims processors hired by the VA (MJ. DUCKWORTH, MSNBC, November 11, 2010).

Sources:

  • MSNBC's "Andrea Mitchell Reports" interview with Tammy Duckworth, Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, November 11, 2010.
  • Copyright 2010 by Federal News Service, Inc. (www.fednews.com).
  • FNS Internet Service subscription information: Carina Nyberg (cnyberg@fednews.com), 1-800-211-4020.

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