Sadly, Iowa Is Not A Great State For Disabled Veterans

Around 5.5 million Veterans are living with a disability.  These men and women served their country, and now, not all of them are getting the treatment and care they need to support their lives.

Depending on where a veteran lives can mean a big difference, from having top-notch care to lacking care.  And unfortunately, Iowa is near the bottom of the rankings for the best places for these Veterans.

What Does A Disabled Veteran Need?

While the benefits for Veterans are available nationwide, Smilehub found that some states have better access to those benefits.

Smilehub looked at metrics like:  Most VA health facilities per number of Veterans.  Most veteran charities per capita.  Highest total VA Expenditure per Veteran.  Highest share of Disabled Veterans.  Lowest share of veterans in poverty.  And another 17 metrics.

While Iowa did not fall at the bottom of any of those metrics, the state did not come near the top either.  Meanwhile, our neighbors in Illinois came in 4th for most veteran charities per capita, but also came in 50th for the lowest share of disabled veterans.  But on the other side of the state, Nebraska came in 1st for the highest share of disabled veterans.

Iowa Ranks As The 41st Best State For Disabled Veterans

That's not good.  In fact, it's really bad.  And for perspective Iowa has a long way to go to get better.

With all the metrics added up, Florida has a score of 63.94 as the best in the country.  Iowa sits at 43.02 in the country.

Bright side, it could be worse, as our neighbors to the North in Wisconsin are ranked 43rd.

But really, it's not about being the best of the worst.  It's about being the best for those who served us.  So hopefully, Iowa and all states can continue to improve for our disabled veterans.

Full rankings available at SmileHub.