Bridging The Gap: How Community Organizations Support Veterans’ Access To Health Care

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the largest integrated healthcare system in the US, serving over 9 million active and retired US military personnel. Despite the size and scope of the department, the VA still faces challenges reaching all qualified veterans. With limited access to care and a lack of awareness of available programs, only about half of eligible veterans receive these services at all.

Where possible, the federal government and the veteran community aims to address these issues. By increasing awareness and connecting veterans to important services, community organizations can bridge the gap between veterans’ access to healthcare and their full healthcare needs.

Challenges Veterans Face in Receiving Adequate Health Care

Although most veterans are eligible for health care through the VA, many are underserved in their health care needs. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York notes that veterans are more likely than civilians to have health insurance, but they are also 50% more likely to suffer from a long-term disability.

On top of treating veterans with long-term disabilities, providing access to health care services is also a significant challenge to the VA. The VA maintains 170 medical centers nationwide, with another 1,200 clinics to serve veterans. For the one-third of eligible veterans who live far from these services, rural healthcare options can be few and far between.

Additionally, many veterans do not know that they are eligible or do not understand the benefits and limitations of the health insurance they have. About nine million veterans are enrolled in VA healthcare programs, but that number represents only half of all eligible U.S. veterans. These programs may provide low-cost services for mental health care, substance use disorders, and even dentistry.

Ways Communities Can Bridge the Gap

With millions of veterans going without necessary services because they lack awareness or effective access, many community organizations step up to assist. These community-based initiatives can help to improve veterans’ health and ability to transition back into civilian life. The following are some different ways community organizations can help local veterans gain the medical access they need.

Veteran Screening and Awareness of Care Options

Community organizations work to assist veterans in understanding what is available to them. The transition out of the military can be a difficult ordeal for veterans, leaving about one-third underemployed and struggling to support themselves, according to the National Veterans’ Training Institute. Communities can help veterans receive medical care by incorporating screening tools – such as medical surveys, needs assessment forms, or mental health checklists – at common community locations and activities, such as a veterans donation center. By identifying veterans in need of services, other organizations can determine those and need and follow up with service options.

Transportation

Nearly 20 percent of veterans have a long-term disability, which may affect their ability to get predictable transportation to routine healthcare appointments and procedures. Some organizations, like the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Transportation Network, in addition to the VA, offer free transportation to VA hospitals and clinics that veterans can schedule in advance. Access to telehealth services can simplify the process for veterans so that they do not have to worry about arranging transportation or finding their way to a clinic.

Targeted Care for Service-Related Disabilities

Service-related injuries and disabilities can significantly hinder a veteran’s ability to transition successfully into civilian life, including finding an appropriate job and housing. Community-based initiatives focus on connecting veterans with services they need to improve their daily function, such as occupational or physical therapy. Grants from the VA and other organizations can also help veterans retrofit their homes to accommodate a change in mobility, hearing, or sight.

Mental Health Counseling and Substance Abuse Treatment

Access to treatment for mental health and substance use disorders is a crucial component of veteran health care. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that roughly 20 percent of veterans struggle with mental illness, while about 12 percent cope with a substance use disorder in any given year. More than one million veterans suffer from both. A lack of access to health care for vulnerable veterans translates into dismal statistics, making suicide the second-leading cause of death for veterans under age 45, according to the VA.

Several organizations aim to change these numbers by giving veterans the resources to connect with mental health professionals and receive the help they need. Additionally, community-organized helplines can talk veterans through immediate struggles and assist them in finding qualified care for mental illness or substance use concerns.

Although veterans receive free healthcare through the VA, accessing VA facilities has proven to be an obstacle for many. With an understanding of the limitations of VA health care, community organizations can work to increase the reach of these important services.

Join us for VA Healthcare 2025

IDGA's Veterans Affairs Healthcare Summit is now in its 19th iteration and is an industry-wide staple for those supporting the VA’s mission set. Our partners across the military, government, private and non-profit healthcare sector, academia and consultant communities have consistently made this event a marquee gathering for senior stakeholders, technology experts, industry innovators, clinicians, nurses and administrators. With our Summit regularly hosting over 500+ attendees, this engagement opportunity will provide those leaders across the VA Healthcare ecosystem the chance to learn, share, and connect with our nation’s veterans to improve health outcomes, care access, and delivery. 

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