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The Effect Of Reforms On Spending For Veterans’ Substance Abuse Treatment, 1993–1999

Shuo Chen, Todd H. Wagner and Paul G. Barnett

Substance use disorders are a major problem among the nation’s veterans. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which provides health care to more than three million veterans, is the nation’s largest provider of substance abuse treatment. The VA trains large numbers of physicians and other mental health professionals; it plays an important role in defining standards of mental health care in the United States.

In the past decade several initiatives have transformed the VA.¹ These policies were inspired by changing views about the role and size of government and by growing use of managed care. This paper considers the . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Data And Methods

 

Study Results

 
Cost of specialized substance abuse treatment.Unique patients treated and volume of services.Average cost per VA user.

Discussion

 
Impact of eligibility reforms.Changes in demand for treatment.Prevalence of substance abuse.Severity of illness.Research needs.

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