Veterans Policy

Experts at RAND have analyzed several major topics of concern to veterans, their families, and stakeholders to ensure that evidence-based research is readily available for policy holders and decisionmakers. Two key areas of specific interest to Congress are the military-to-civilian transition period and veterans’ health.

When a service member separates from military service, there is a transition period in which the now-veteran must determine what life is like post-service. For some, this is a seamless transition; for others, it is not so easy.

RAND has explored the support available to veterans during this transition period through an examination of the federal assistance programs and the costs and benefits associated with them. In addition, RAND held a series of stakeholder roundtables to discuss the support mechanisms, responsibilities, effects of transition on spouses and families, and the steps that could be taken to provide further assistance to these veterans.

Military service places stress on the body and can lead to a variety of health conditions. RAND researchers looked at various situations where veterans developed health issues as they got older in life, where access to health care is limited for veterans due to state policies, how working conditions after military service can affect a veteran’s health, and how policy and decisionmakers can use previous examples of health research programs to support veterans.