The Role of Rank in the Health of U.S.

Veterans
Health outcome equality disparities based on ranking are mainly observed in the American
veteran community, even though the military practices universal healthcare. One of the
fundamental principles of the US military healthcare system is that all military members,
regardless of rank, receive equal access to the enormous medical services it provides. The rank
of a service person dramatically impacts the quality of care they receive, which affects their
health status after service. However, this is true across the board. The issue appears to be a
systemic problem with the military's health care policy. Despite claims of equal treatment for all,
regardless of rank, a wealth of research and anecdotal evidence reveals significant health
disparities among the ranks. The difference in treatment further contributes to the existing
structural problems in the military healthcare system and contradicts the principles of equality
and justice. Hence, to devise fair health policies and improve the general well-being of the
veterans who have served their nation, it is necessary to understand and deal effectively with the
effect of rank on veterans' health experiences. The military rank has a substantive impact on care
quality and service provision, which consequently contributes to lasting inequalities in regard to
health care within the U.S. military system.

Background of the Issue

The fundamental aim of the United States military's healthcare system is to maintain the
adequacy of the United States armed forces in confronting any unpredictable situation that may
arise. This has underscored the medical care system, which could be provided internally and
abroad. According to Health Affairs, the scope of providers is considerably limited due to the
relative absence of complex medical situations, high expenses, and low quality of treatment in
deployment areas. These structural shortcomings point towards more significant issues inside the
system, which might discriminate among soldiers according to rank. According to Rethinking the
United States’ Military Health System | Health Affairs. (n.d.), "the military health system’s
stateside mission costs too much, delivers care of uneven quality, and doesn’t attract enough
complex cases to keep provider skills sharp," stressing the weaknesses in delivery that would
impede efficient service to lower-ranking people who have less autonomy than high-ranking
people and who have fewer resources (para. 5). The military healthcare system struggles with
operational shortcomings and a highly hierarchical structure, the health disparities caused by
which are pervasive in the more significant issue of health disparity by rank. This further
strengthens the fact that rank says a lot about the accessibility and quality of healthcare service
members get.

Lower-Rank Disadvantages

Healthcare access disparities and quality gaps have a much more intense impact on the health of
those in the lower ranks of the military and the veteran community. MacLean & Edwards (2009)
highlight that "veterans have better health if they were officers when they were in the U.S.
military than if they served in the enlisted ranks," which implies a direct linkage between higher
rank and better health (para. 1). This correlation may be attributed to a diversity of reasons, such
as poor access to specialized care, less attention to timely and effective treatment, and sometimes
insufficient health knowledge, which are more pronounced in lower ranks. The findings
substantially back up the argument by demonstrating that certain disadvantages in the military
healthcare system are more prevalent as individuals' ranks progress and, therefore, there is a
hierarchy in the quality and access to healthcare. Such unequal circumstances illustrate the
harshest conditions that disadvantaged individuals face, impeding their ability to meet their
healthcare needs. However, it is natural to think of the better healthcare experiences of those in
higher positions that emerge in this situation. In order to bridge the gap between higher-ranking
individuals and their compatibility with different situations, it is necessary to explore the benefits
associated with these ranks and how they rely on the overall health care of the military.

Higher-Rank Advantages

On the other hand, superior military officials have numerous privileges relating to their ability to
access healthcare services, whereas lower-ranking soldiers do not. Studies show that the health
literacy and general health outcomes of people with disabilities can increase. Betancourt et al.
(2021) have illustrated that "healthcare is provided to all Active-duty Service members while in
the Service; however, differences in health literacy, higher stress, and working conditions
between those of lower rank and those of higher rank" lead to varied health outcomes. Efficient
healthcare experiences and outcomes are usually attributed to better-ranking staff having an
advantage, such as ready information and resources, which they use to navigate the healthcare
system better and represent themselves in clinical settings (Inoue et al., 2023). This additional
factor, as well as the overall argument that rank affects access and quality of military treatment,
strengthens the discussion and makes it more holistic. This case stresses the need for systemic
transformations to address these inequalities and guarantee that healthcare is accessible to all
military personnel.

Factors Influencing Both Sides

Though military rank may well be a factor that influences the outcomes of healthcare, a person's
ethnicity and gender also matter a lot and need to be given consideration, too. Ward et al. (2021)
reveal that "racial and ethnic disparities in clinical outcomes and rates of chronic disease among
veterans persist even when access and quality of care are comparable" (para. 3). This finding
again points to even more complications that veterans and military personnel may face since
demographic variables intersect with ranks. The individual's status as a racial minority, along
with their military status, can exacerbate existing systemic prejudices even outside the military
environment; thus, a lower-ranking person may have a more challenging time getting proper
treatment. Along with reinforcing the idea by showing the complicated picture of factors
impacting health outcomes more than just inequality alone, recognizing these interplaying
components presents a better picture of healthcare disparities in the military. This univocal
perspective requires a holistic strategy for transformation, giving access to the range of factors
that cater to the demographics and attaining true equality in the health status of the military
community.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that active-duty service members are all provided with healthcare, major
systematic inadequacies persist, and consequently, discrimination spreads inside the military
healthcare system. Differences in professionals’ positions and access to quality care are decisive
aspects demonstrated by modern research. The fact that those who belong to the lower ranks in
service face significant discrimination in healthcare compared to higher ranks creates additional
health disparities that occur because of these additional overlapping factors, such as race,
ethnicity, and gender. These reforms that can handle these inequalities in their entirety should be
given priority. Equity in healthcare should be the first item on the agenda for any rank, whether
they consider rank-based disparities or any other feature of ethnicity. This implies that military
healthcare reform should be holistic, considering the systemic biases that make up these tools.
The health care system in the armed forces and for veterans is tasked with ensuring the well-
being of all service members, regardless of rank and background. This could result from more
collaboration between researchers, healthcare workers, and policymakers.