Health care for veterans: the limits of obligation.
The federal government has a generally unquestioned obligation to provide health care to veterans for diseases or disabilities acquired during military service. Much argued, however, is the government's obligation to offer care for nonservice-connected disorders. The Reagan administration has sharpened the debate recently by attempting to impose a means test on veterans over sixty-five who are seeking such care. But the controversy focuses on the wrong issue. Society has a moral obligation to provide adequate health care to all citizens but has no special obligation to care for nonservice-connected health problems of veterans.
D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D035082:Federal Government; D006801:Humans; D028681:Moral Obligations; D012935:Social Justice; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D014728:Veterans