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.