Top 10 States Offering the Best Health Care for Veterans: Health services are considered extremely important for US military veterans. When a soldier returns home after serving the country for years, he requires more sensitive and specialized healthcare facilities than the general population. While in the military, soldiers are often required to work in hazardous conditions, being exposed to asbestos and other harmful chemicals on ships, in combat zones, or on military bases. This is why they are at increased risk for serious diseases like lung cancer and mesothelioma. In such a situation, it becomes very important to decide in which state better healthcare is available.
Although many states in the US have a large veteran population, not all states have access to modern medical facilities and a team of experienced specialists. Veterans living in rural or remote areas have to travel long distances for treatment, which can be challenging for them both financially and mentally. Therefore, it is important to know which states in the US are considered the best for veterans’ healthcare facilities.
Aspects to consider in the treatment of veterans
Some factors are considered most important when choosing the right state for veterans. These include easy access to treatment, experience of specialists and availability of clinical trials. Rare diseases such as mesothelioma can only be treated properly by experienced and trained specialists. Apart from this, clinical trials are also necessary to get access to modern research and new treatment options.
Texas
Texas is considered one of the most suitable states for veterans. About 1.4 million veterans live here, which is about seven percent of the total population of the state. Texas has several large VA hospitals and dozens of community clinics that provide superior healthcare to veterans. Houston’s Michael E. DeBakey Medical Center is particularly renowned for treating lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Veterans living here also receive additional benefits such as property tax exemptions, tax breaks on VA disability compensation and survivor benefits. The Texas Veterans Commission is also active throughout the state and helps veterans and their families resolve problems.
California
California is the state with the largest number of veterans. It has several large VA healthcare systems and outpatient clinics to provide healthcare to more than 1.5 million veterans. World-class hospitals in cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Palo Alto provide advanced treatment to veterans.
The Palo Alto VA Medical Center is renowned for treating rare cancers such as mesothelioma. Due to experienced doctors and state-of-the-art technology, veterans come here for treatment from far-flung states. Apart from this, special arrangements have been made for housing and health services for homeless veterans in California.
Massachusetts
About three lakh veterans live in Massachusetts. Under the Boston VA Healthcare System here, health facilities are available in cities like Bedford, Jamaica Plain, Brockton, Leeds and West Roxbury.
The state’s Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services provides emergency financial assistance, quality support services and funeral assistance to veterans and their families. This department plays a big role in making the lives of veterans and their families easier.
Florida
Florida is popular for veterans due to healthcare as well as tax exemptions and other economic benefits. More than 14 lakh veterans live here and many VA community outpatient clinics are operating across the state.
Mesothelioma patients often go to Bruce W. of Miami. Carter turns to the VA Medical Center, which has facilities for complex surgeries. Apart from this, VA medical centers in Orlando, West Palm Beach and Tampa are also famous for their modern medical facilities and clinical trials.
Georgia
Georgia is home to about 600,000 veterans. The Atlanta VA Medical Center is the main health center here, which is affiliated with Emory University. This center is famous for modern technology, robotic surgery and clinical trials related to cancer.
The Georgia Department of Veterans Service helps veterans file claims, get nursing home services and complete funeral arrangements. Mesothelioma patients here receive better treatment from expert doctors.
Alaska
Although only 67,000 veterans live in Alaska, this percentage is the highest in terms of the total population. The Alaska VA Healthcare System provides in-patient and specialty care to veterans in Anchorage.
Apart from this, outpatient clinics are functioning in cities like Juneau, Fort Wainwright and Wasilla. The state also provides property tax exemptions and additional benefits to veterans in case of service-related disability.
Nevada
Nevada is popular for the tax exemptions and economic benefits available to veterans. Here disabled veterans get a rebate of ten to twenty thousand dollars in property tax annually.
The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System in Las Vegas and the VA Sierra Nevada Healthcare System in Reno are the main medical centers for veterans. Apart from this, outpatient clinics are also present in many cities.
Illinois
Veterans in Illinois give high ratings to the Marion VA Medical Center and the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago. The hospitals here are known for modern facilities and experienced specialists.
Disabled veterans in the state get a rebate of two and a half to five thousand dollars in property tax. Veterans or their spouses may also receive a full waiver of taxes if they have a serious injury or service-related disability.
Michigan
The best-known VA centers in Michigan are Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center, Ann Arbor, and the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Facility, Iron Mountain. There are also VA centers in Detroit, Battle Creek, and Saginaw. VA hospitals are available.
Veterans are also provided with tax-free retirement pay and up to 100% property tax exemption.
Colorado
Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora and Grand Junction VA Medical Center are the major health institutions in Colorado. Apart from this, outpatient and community-based clinics are also operated in many cities of the state.
Veterans here get tax and property tax exemption benefits like other states, especially those who have suffered a serious illness or injury during service.
Veterans and Asbestos Risk
An important fact is that one in every three patients of mesothelioma has served in the US military. This disease is mostly caused by exposure to asbestos on military bases and naval ships. Many military bases in the US have been declared EPA Asbestos Superfund Sites, where veterans had to face asbestos exposure in the past.
Honoring Our PACT Act – 2022
Keeping in mind the problems of veterans, President Joe Biden approved a law called Honoring Our PACT Act in 2022. This law has been made for veterans suffering from diseases and disabilities caused by toxic exposure.
Healthcare eligibility has been expanded under this law. The process of recognizing toxic exposure and considering related diseases as service-related has been simplified. Apart from this, additional funding has also been given to improve research, resources and the functioning of the VA department.
Conclusion
Many states of America have made the healthcare of veterans their priorities. While large states like Texas, California, Florida and Massachusetts have provided modern facilities and experienced specialists, smaller states like Alaska and Nevada have also tried to give maximum benefits to veterans according to their capacity.
Choosing the right state for veterans has a direct impact on their quality of life and ability to fight disease. So if you or a loved one has served in the U.S. military, you can make better decisions based on this information and choose the best healthcare services for you.
