FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 18, 2021
CONTACT: press@iava.org

New York, NY – Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is announcing the results of a flash poll conducted earlier this month on VA centered health care to better understand the needs of our members. The numbers reported are from over 500 IAVA members who completed the survey, of which 100% are veterans. 

The pandemic has shaped veteran priorities around the healthcare system. 82% of veterans agreed that the coronavirus pandemic has shown that we need to protect access to medicines and treatments now more than ever before and 90% agreed that they anticipate a greater need for the research and development of new, innovative treatments and medicines.

Once educated on the implications of proposals to align Medicare drug prices to VA prices, over half  of veterans believe these policies would harm veterans and the VA system (51% and 52% respectively). 

38% of veterans are less likely to support if extending VA pricing and voluntary discounts to a broader population could increase costs for the VA health system and 40% were less likely to support if it could divert resources from other veteran priorities, such as toxic exposures and burn pits, mental health and suicide prevention and more.

“I think it’s incredibly important to note that, given concerns by veterans on this critical issue, policymakers take care to thoroughly examine second and third order effects of drug price legislation,” stated IAVA Executive VP, Tom Porter.

IAVA is the voice for the post-9/11 veteran generation. With over 425,000 veterans and allies nationwide, IAVA is the leader in non-partisan veteran advocacy and public awareness. We drive historic impacts for veterans and IAVA’s programs are second to none. Any veteran or family member in need can reach out to IAVA’s Quick Reaction Force at quickreactionforce.org or 855-91RAPID (855-917-2743) to be connected promptly with a veteran care manager who will assist. IAVA’s The Vote Hub is a free tool to register to vote and find polling information. IAVA’s membership is always growing. Join the movement at iava.org/membership.

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