Washington D.C.

About 1 in 8 veterans under age 65 is uninsured, a finding that contradicts a common assumption that all vets qualify for free health care through the Veterans Affairs Department, researchers found. The researchers at Harvard Medical School projected that about 1.8 million veterans overall lack health coverage. That's an increase of 290.000 since 2000. The researchers said most uninsured veterans were in the class and were ineligible for VA care because of their income. Still others cannot afford their co payments, or lack VA facilities in their community.