We’re the Land of the Free, Yet the Cost of Veterans' Service Is Not. (Part 2 of 6)

SIXTEEN HUNDRED AND ONE: The Miles to #APHA2026 and ONE Woman Fueled by her Global Health Journey is a six-part personal reflection that offers academic insight into the people, rest stops, refuels, and unexpected detours that made this 1,601-mile journey memorable. This Veterans Day, as I do every year, I joined fellow veterans to take advantage of the many freebies and discounts available for this year’s commemoration. But let’s be honest. Our nation's commitment must extend beyond November 11.

Oh, God bless America and those who served. Flags are raised, speeches are delivered, and businesses offer complimentary meals. But what happens on November 12, when the celebrations end and veterans return to the realities of chronic illness, food insecurity, housing instability, and inaccessible healthcare?

As a disabled United States Navy veteran and public health researcher, I believe gratitude must extend beyond recognition to accountability. So, when I presented at #APHA2026, I did so not only with our rural minority vets in mind, but also with the systems created to support them and others in underserved communities. My research examines how geography, environmental exposures, chronic disease, and healthcare infrastructure intersect to shape healthcare disparities among rural minority veterans.

Essentially, eligibility is national. Access is local.

According to VA rural health research, approximately 4.7 million veterans reside in rural communities, and about 15% of rural veterans enrolled in VA healthcare identify as racial or ethnic minorities. These populations face challenges at the intersection of geography, transportation, socioeconomic conditions, and access to specialty care. Diabetes offers a particularly troubling example. A national study of more than 1.1 million veterans with diabetes identified persistent geographic and racial disparities in glycemic control, with Black and Hispanic veterans experiencing greater odds of uncontrolled diabetes than their White counterparts.

A 2024 CDC-published study found that among U.S. counties and parishes with high diabetes prevalence, 52.8% had dialysis facilities, while only 20.7% had accredited diabetes self-management education and support services. These findings concern the general population but raise important questions about prevention and access for veterans living in medically underserved communities. I interviewed one Central Louisiana physician who told me that there were more dialysis centers than Burger Kings in the area. Although anecdotal, that observation raises a serious public health question: Have we become better at treating the consequences of chronic disease than preventing them?

These geographic realities are compounded by broader socioeconomic vulnerabilities. A 2026 Government Accountability Office report cited estimates that 1.4 million veterans experienced food insecurity annually, on average, between 2015 and 2020. The January 2025 national count identified 32,495 veterans experiencing homelessness.

Following the 2026 midterm elections, congressional oversight must remain focused on whether federal policies translate into measurable improvements for veterans, particularly those living in rural and historically underserved communities. Earlier this afternoon, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Take Care of America's Veterans Act (TCAVA). The measure did not come without debate over what future generations of veterans would have to give up for receiving additional benefits all of us should already have. The VA MISSION Act of 2018 expanded pathways to community healthcare, yet a September 2026 VA Inspector General audit documented continuing administrative delays.

Accessibility must encompass transportation, specialty referrals, disability accommodations, digital access, and understandable benefits information. Veterans can explore the official VA Health and Benefits app and resources such as Benefits Command, which was a great discussion focus after my presentation and throughout the week. This app does the heavy lifting that most vets find cumbersome when seeking claims assistance. Usability is important, especially in rural areas with aging vets. We’re the Land of the Free. Even the salutes are complimentary. But let’s face it, the sacrificial cost of being a veteran is often bargained by those who didn’t even participate in ROTC, let alone have a DD-214. And military service does not automatically make someone a competent leader, and never having served does not automatically mean someone cannot govern effectively. What matters for public accountability is whether leaders understand veterans' experiences, consult them meaningfully, and deliver measurable improvements. Until then, complete healthcare eligibility without meaningful access will always seem like an unfinished promise.

And until next year, may every day be Veterans Day.