Medicaid is a critical safety net for military families, especially when they live far from a VA facility or have unique health needs. A report from Tricare for Kids Coalition provides new insight into how the program continues to help military families by meeting the health needs of their children. Key takeaways from the report include:
- 3.4 million children of veterans are enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP.
- 200,000 children of active military members use Medicaid to supplement TRICARE coverage, often to provide care for serious medical conditions.
- Medicaid provides stability for veterans’ families through their service and transition back to civilian life – especially since VA benefits generally do not cover children.
- Children of veterans are more than twice as likely to join the military, making their health even more important to our nation’s future defense.
- Medicaid improves educational outcomes in children, as well as their overall health and well-being, by promoting preventive services and covering care for complex medical conditions
These findings further demonstrate Medicaid’s essential role in keeping military families—especially their children—healthy. The program grants access to quality health care coverage they can depend on. Medicaid ensures that the health needs of the men and women who protect our country – and their families – are met.
For more information, please visit the Modern Medicaid Alliance’s infographic and blog post detailing how Medicaid helps our nation’s veterans and their families. A PDF version can be downloaded here.