1. Michael Hughes, MPA Project Agree or Strongly Agree
Factors Influencing Recruitment into the U.S. Armed Services: Could Health Insurance be a Motivator?
Michael Hughes, MPA Project
Advisor: Laurie Buonanno, PhD; Second Reader: Mr. Miguel Reyes-Mariano, MPA
Background
Research Methods
Discussion
“With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations. (Levin, Levin et al. 2014)”
The basis for the creation of the Veterans Administration was confirmed with the immortal words from President Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address in the closing days of the Civil War. Title 38 of the US Code of Federal Regulations recognizes and codifies the obligations of the U.S. government with respect to veterans of military service, with detailed eligibility for benefits and designation of wartime service expanded upon including health care ("38 C.F.R.," 2017). Over 8000 military veterans commit suicide each year – and for those on active duty, one service member dies every 36 hours (Castro & Kintzle, 2014, p. 1).
Sample
Individuals living in the U.S. of a legal age (18-42)
for enlistment into the military. Demographics were consistent with US Census data in all relevant categories (e.g. gender and income).
Survey responses support both additional benefits to attract more recruits, and to expand current
veterans’ benefits.
Survey participants
agreed (80%)
veterans deserve free
lifetime health care.
77% agreed “benefits are an important part of the military commitment.” For respondents considering joining the service, 64% think that free healthcare would be an important factor in their decision. Participants think health care is a basic public service expectation of modern society (72% of respondents agreed “health care is a human right”).
Question
Agree or Strongly Agree
Benefits are an important part of military commitment
77.19%
Veterans have earned benefits after service regardless of physical disabilities
68.45%
Free health insurance should be provided to all veterans
80.98%
Health care is a human right
74.27%
Health Care should be provided to citizens as a basic government service like police or fire
66.67%
Data collection
A survey instrument was created on the
SurveyMonkey platform and designed to gather demographic data similar to the JAMRS survey and to collect data on attitudes regarding medical care and veterans’ health issues.
Procedure
The survey instrument was distributed online to a cross section of the target demographic through a patented Survey Monkey mechanism utilized for generating a sample consistent with US Census data. Over 200 responses were collected and analyzed, representing a statistically valid sample with a 95% confidence level with a 7% margin of error.
Research Questions
Implications
There is a stronger desire to serve among individuals in the lower income brackets, but the focus of military recruiters on working class young people has been controversial. If lifetime free health care is provided, this would be an important benefit and recognition of the service of working class youth for our country.
Will potential recruits be influenced by expanded
veterans health care?
Do people believe that veterans have earned medical care for life?
Literature Review
The Department of Defense (DoD) Youth Poll Wave 20 is the official DoD study conducted by the Joint Advertising, Marketing Research, & Studies (JAMRS) branch and serves as the official market research instrument for all DoD recruiters (Carvalho, Krulikowski et al. 2010). Smith-Osborne (2013) examines the link between VHA care and increased medical results among veteran populations, with particular emphasis on Gulf War Era veterans. Studies show military recruiters “prey” on working class youth. Gellad (2016) provides background on the use of the VHA and civilian medical centers that resulted from the passage of The Veterans Choice Act that allows veterans to seek care at civilian medical centers when they cannot get an appointment at the VA for in under 30 days.
References
Burgess Jr, J. F., & Wilson, P. W. (1998). VARIATION IN INEFFICIENCY AMONG US HOSPITALS. INFOR, 36(3),
Carvalho, R., et al. (2010). "Department of Defense Youth Poll Wave 20. Report by the Joint Advertising." Market Research & Studies. Retrieved from jamrs. org/reports/Youth_Poll_20. pdf.
Friesen, M. C. (2014). Framing Symbols and Space: Counterrecruitment and Resistance to the U.S. Military in Public Education. Sociological Forum, 29(1), doi: /socf.12070
Gellad, W. F. (2016). The Veterans Choice Act and Dual Health System Use. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 31(2), doi: /s
Levin, J. E., Levin, M. R., & Lincoln, A. (2014). Malice toward none : Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address (First Threshold Editions hardcover edition. ed.). New York: Threshold Editions.
Smith-Osborne, A. (2013). Veterans Administration Health Care Policies as a Protective Mechanism Supporting an Expected Life Trajectory after Military Service. Social Work in Public Health, 28(2), doi: /