Social justice can be defined as justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, resources and privileges within a society. When there is inequality pertaining to basic human needs such as healthcare, housing and employment, social problems arise. In response to these problems, governments amend or develop social policies. These policies affect society and are very important in social work practice. Social workers need to understand how policies affect the practice and the people they work with in order to advocate for policies that will ensure social justice. People from all walks of life are susceptible to a form of social injustice at some point. However, there are populations that are more vulnerable than others. Vulnerable populations include minorities, the elderly, the unemployed, the mentally ill and many more. One specific population that faces a multitude of social justice issues is veterans. The basic human needs of veterans are not being met at an alarming rate in a variety of ways. The main issues that veterans are facing are a lack of access to adequate healthcare, unemployment and homelessness. Many people believe that veterans are eligible for and have access to care from the United States Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA). Unfortunately, for many veterans this is not the case. The lack of access to adequate healthcare is a problem that veterans have been facing throughout history. Since there is such a larger number of veterans returning
They claimed Iraq and Afghanistan veteran polls have been taken, it shows that whatever improvements and actions being were taken were not enough. Fifty-nine percent of the people rated the job the government was doing to help was good, while fifty-six percent rated it as them doing poorly. In an article by CNN news nineteen veterans have died because of delays for medical treatments from the Veterans Affair. Those nineteen veterans were only a small proportion of that group. A number of eight-two veterans who have died because of delays for medical treatments like colonoscopies or endoscopies. Some people like my father (Jason McLain), who is a retired veteran, believes that some doctors have their own personal bias toward veterans. Jason McLain stated, “When I go to the VA they do not help me as soon as I need their help. Although when I go to any other civilian doctor’s office they help me right away with any of their help”. A website by the name of Free Grants Community stated that success and failures of the Departments of Veterans Affair are frequently the subjects of political promises and debates. There are many places that can help with benefits or homelessness, simply anything veteran(active/retired) need. A six-year veteran stated that there are places to help but emphasizes that you have to pursue yourself. After you are done with the military to go back to school and to keep getting educated. Besides the fact the regular ordinary citizens complain that veterans are not getting enough help, there have been complaints against all employers for discrimination has blames the economic crisis and ballooning deficits for the inability to provide for more
According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, there are more than 1,500 locations to receive treatment and care across the country, which divides up to approximately 30 locations per state. The lack of locations may limit some veterans from receiving the care they desire. “Veterans who utilize VA services have worse health status that the general population” (Nelson, Taylor, Lurie, Escarce, McFarland, & Finn, 2011). This implies that the services offered are not sufficient enough to meet the needs of veterans. According to Jack Downing, President and CEO of Soldier On, “Seventy percent of veterans drive twenty-five miles or more to a VA facility.” These facts prove that we need more access for veterans so that they can get the
The main research questions in this study are: 1) is veteran healthcare equal to private healthcare; 2) do veterans have to wait longer for treatment options; and 3) do veterans have limited treatment options? It is hypothesized that veterans receive inferior healthcare services compared to private healthcare and the community is unaware of the disparities.
The United States Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs have taken steps to address the limited access to providers and the issues around a backlog of healthcare eligibility
Current funding for veteran healthcare care is low and insufficient because of the large number of veterans, who are being discharged from the military as the country transitions to a democratic President. According to Dr. Rachel Nardin in her article about veteran healthcare, “Soldiers get excellent acute care when injured on active duty, but as revelations of poor conditions for soldiers receiving ongoing outpatient care at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center highlighted, service members often have trouble getting the care they need once active duty ends” (Nardin 1)
To me, social justice means everyone deserves equal economic, political, and social rights and opportunities. My goal as a social worker will be to open the doors of opportunity for everyone, particularly those in greatest need. Social workers are dedicated, doing their best to ensure all people are treated with dignity and respect. Social workers involved in social justice are important because they set out to improve the relationship between people in different settings, while providing support and respect for
Almost 60% of all veterans say that the VA is doing “only fair” or a “poor” job at taking care of the problems faced by serviceman (Chandrasekaren). Current soldiers, as well as veterans, are facing problems like not be able to find a job because of a disability or not receiving compensation for an injury that occurred while in the service. Many wait months upon months just to be seen by a doctor. The men and women protecting this country deserve the best help available, and they are receiving very little or no help at all. Health care, benefits, and simply having money to survive are not problems that these individuals need to be facing after putting their lives on the line for us. Veterans need help, and our
Day in and day out we think of the 21st century as evolved, yet in this day and age there are a large number of homeless veterans that roam our streets and overcrowd our shelters. They suffer from mental illness, struggle with substance abuse, and reintegration into society. Most veterans believe that because they fought for our country, they are entitled. That may seem to be a myth, but it is definitely true. Many depend on the Department of Veterans Affairs to save the day; only to be disappointed by the lack of consideration for those who served our country, and the amount of hoops that have to be jumped in order to receive services. Veteran homelessness is a huge problem in America, and though the Department of Veterans Affairs has set programs into place, there are a series of factors that contribute to the problem with no solid solutions.
Throughout history, citizens have seen the need to care for those who have defended their freedoms. Research shows veteran’s assistance programs dates back to the early settlement of the colonies that would later become the United States of America. In the year 1636, the Pilgrims, who were at war with the Pequot Indians, passed a law that stated they would take care of the disabled veterans who had fought in that conflict.
Sue Kelly once said that “The sacrifices made by veterans and their willingness to fight in defense of our nation merit deep respect and praise-and to the best in benefits and medical care” (BrainyQuotes). When it comes to a person lacking civil rights, it is most common for the general public to picture an African American, a gay-or queer-person, or someone else in the minorities. However, statistics have shown a surprising rise in veterans with limited health care, no house, and no job. It is under these numbers, that in which I instate my belief that there lies a major civil rights issue in the veteran community to which American civilians must answer to.
Veterans fought day-to-day to protect the lives of the American people. After deployment, veterans begin to struggle with going back to a normal citizen life. It becomes harder for veterans to maintain a job and keeping themselves sane. Countless of veterans compete with many negative factors to not affect veterans overall health. Thousands of veterans need assistance when having to adjust to what one would call a normal life.
The VA Health Care is a program to veterans that need health care that they must attend. On the article Veterans Health Care said that “Department of Veteran’s Affairs is required by law to provide eligible veterans hospital care”. The public hospital provide service to veterans that need it, because they are required by law to provide medical care to veterans.The Veterans must attend a hospital for any physical, and mental check. Some veterans suffer from metals problems and don't attend for any help at the end they end up command to suicide. Because they see that they're a easy way out but they can find help. The U.S. should demand all the veterans that have serviced in the military with a physical check. They also provide Insurance that name Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance is a insurance that coverage for totally disabled veterans. If the Insurance is provided to all the veterans with no cost for all the disabled veterans. The United States treat the Veterans fairly but they’re not attending the
Another issue regarding the VA system is the limitations that is places on the abilities of the private sector to provide aid to Veterans. The private sector of the United States has no access to the files of former members of our military; as a result of this, a Veteran would potentially have to drive hours to get to a VA facility for something as simple as a flu shot. Veterans should be able to enjoy the benefits that they are entitled to without having to go a great distance. This very solution presents yet another conflict: the majority of returning military members are uninformed regarding what it is that they are medically entitled to. There is often far too little communication between VA facilities and Veterans concerning how they
The term social justice is normally used when referring to the ideas of equality and providing equal opportunities to pupils within school, regardless of their background, history or circumstances. Views of social justice can change depending on who is discussing the topic.
Social justice is mutually a practice and a goal. The goal of social justice is complete and equal contribution by all people in a society that is equally designed to meet their needs. Social justice allows for all members of society to be physically and psychologically safe and secure. It is a set of values that allow us to understand what is right and wrong in our world regardless of race, culture and economic status. That we take care of those in need of help, so that they can take care of themselves. Social justice allows equal rights and opportunities to everyone in society.