Deadline: May 9, 2025
Congress has been told to find ways to cut government spending. The House Energy and Commerce Committee must cut $880 billion — and a big part of that may come from Medicaid.
Why this matters:
Medicaid is very important for many veterans, especially those who have low incomes, disabilities, or don’t get full healthcare from the VA.
- Nearly 1 in 10 veterans between the ages of 19 and 64 use Medicaid
- About 683,000 veterans live in Virginia. That’s 9.1% of the adult population—one of the highest in the U.S
- That means up to 68,000 veterans in Virginia could lose care if Medicaid is cut
Medicaid is a safety net:
- Some veterans rely on Medicaid as their only health coverage
- Others use it along with VA, private, or military health benefits
- In 2015, nearly 2 out of 5 veterans on Medicaid had no other coverage
- It supports veterans dealing with long-term health problems such as chronic and mental health conditions and traumatic brain injuries
Medicaid also helps by:
- Covering services the VA may not provide (like nursing homes, home care, and long-term support)
- Helping low-income veterans afford care
- Covering some spouses and children of veterans
- Filling in gaps when VA care isn’t enough
Veterans can use Medicaid and VA benefits together. This helps them get more complete care—especially if they don’t have limited income.
Veterans are more likely to struggle with substance use. Around 1 in 10 veterans have a substance use disorder, compared to about 7–8% of all adults. Alcohol is the most common issue, but many also misuse prescription drugs, especially opioids. Veterans face unique challenges like combat stress, PTSD, chronic pain, and difficulty adjusting to civilian life, all of which increase the risk of substance use.
Veterans are at higher risk of suicide. According to the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, the suicide rate for veterans in Virginia is 26.6 per 100,00 totaling 184 suicides. In Virginia overall, the suicide rate is 14.5 per 100,000.
Medicaid is the largest source of funding for mental health and substance use disorder treatment. Medicaid cuts mean losing access to treatment.
It is important that our legislators hear from you. Your voice matters! Call https://thenationalcouncil.quorum.us/campaign/113801/ or write https://thenationalcouncil.quorum.us/campaign/107658/ today to support Medicaid.