Newsbytes April 10, 2026

In this issue:
VA Requests Record $488 Billion for FY2027
Military Child Care Reforms 
VA 100,000 New Enrollees in 2026
EHRM Accelerates 
Coast Guard Rescues Family 
Written Consent Survey

VA Requests Record $488 Billion for FY2027
The Trump administration has unveiled a record-breaking $488 billion budget request for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2027, representing a 7.7% increase over current levels. The proposal includes $205.6 billion in discretionary funding and $282.6 billion for mandatory spending, which covers essential disability benefits, pensions, and insurance. This historic request represents a ten-fold increase in VA funding since 2001, reflecting the growing needs of aging veterans and the post-9/11 generation.

Key highlights of the discretionary request include nearly $2 billion to replace the Indianapolis VA Medical Center and $1.3 billion for a new facility in Manchester, New Hampshire. The budget also allocates $500 million for permanent homeless veteran housing at the National Center for Warrior Independence in West Los Angeles. Notably, the proposal funds the restart of the VA’s Electronic Health Record (EHR) modernization program, which has been on a strategic reset since 2022, with plans to go live at 13 sites throughout 2026.

VA Secretary Doug Collins emphasized that the era of "measuring progress by how much money we spend" is over, shifting the focus toward service outcomes and efficiency. However, the budget does seek to trim what the White House calls "divisive and wasteful diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives," redirecting those funds toward core missions like healthcare and cemetery services. The proposal also includes a request for advanced funding for fiscal 2028 to ensure that veterans' services remain unaffected by any potential government shutdowns in the future.

The Association is closely analyzing the proposed shift of $52 billion from the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund into the discretionary budget. While the overall increase in funding is welcome, the FRA remains cautious about any moves that could jeopardize dedicated funds for toxic exposure care. We will continue to engage with the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to ensure that the final budget fully supports the specialized needs of our Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard veterans.

Military Child Care Reforms 
The FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) has introduced sweeping reforms to military child care that promise to significantly reduce the financial burden on service families. A centerpiece of these changes is a five-year pilot program that increases the maximum monthly subsidy for child care fee assistance by 30% for children aged two and younger in high-cost areas. This adjustment could raise the monthly cap from $2,000 to $2,600 per child, providing much-needed relief for families stationed in expensive urban centers where civilian care costs often exceed military pay.

The reforms also extend the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) program through December 2029, offering greater flexibility for families on long waitlists for on-base Child Development Centers (CDCs). Eligible care has been expanded to include qualified home providers such as nannies and babysitters, provided they meet MCCYN standards. This is a significant "game-changer" for dual-military couples, single parents, and those working non-traditional shifts who require high-quality, flexible care that fits the demands of military service.

Safety and accountability are also at the forefront of the new legislation. The NDAA now requires CDC directors to notify parents within 24 hours of any suspected child abuse, standardizing notification requirements across all military branches. Furthermore, the act provides new job protections for child care employees, prohibiting terminations due to workforce reduction initiatives alone. This move aims to stabilize the child care workforce following recent federal civilian hiring freezes and ensure that enrollment capacity remains high.

The FRA views these child care improvements as a vital component of Operational Readiness. When a service member's family is secure, the member can focus entirely on the mission. The Association will continue to advocate for the permanent adoption of these increased subsidies after the five-year pilot concludes, ensuring that affordable, high-quality child care remains a cornerstone of the military's "sacred trust" with those who serve.

VA 100,000 New Enrollees in 2026
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced on April 6 that more than 100,000 new veterans have enrolled in VA healthcare so far in 2026. This milestone was reached on March 31, significantly faster than in six of the last seven years. VA Secretary Doug Collins attributed this surge to the department's transformation into a "service organization" where veterans come first, noting that historic improvements in facility access and benefit processing are driving the increased engagement.

Significant improvements since January 2025 have contributed to this growth, including the opening of 34 new healthcare facilities and the reduction of the benefits backlog by 67%. The VA has also offered over 2.2 million appointments outside of normal operating hours, providing more timely and convenient options for those with civilian work schedules. Additionally, the VA permanently housed over 51,000 homeless veterans in FY2025, the highest total in seven years, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to veteran well-being.

The Association celebrates this record-breaking enrollment as proof that the modernization of the VA system is working. Increased enrollment strengthens the VA’s ability to conduct specialized research and provides a larger data set for improving care for service-connected conditions. As more sea service veterans join the system, the FRA will continue to insist that the VA maintains the highest standards of care and that community care referrals remain a flexible option for those in remote areas.

We encourage all eligible Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard veterans who have not yet enrolled to explore their earned benefits. This surge in enrollment reinforces our demand that the VA budget remains a top national priority.

EHRM Accelerates 
After years of skepticism and strategic resets, the Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR) modernization program is accelerating under a new governance model designed to ensure long-term stability. VA Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence recently confirmed that the system is now live at six sites, serving over 188,000 veterans with no system-wide outages reported in nearly two years. The new strategy focuses on adopting a standard, baseline system to limit local customizations, which has previously led to technical delays and budget overruns.

A key difference in this latest rollout is the "dialed-in" leadership and direct engagement with field staff. Deputy Secretary Lawrence has personally visited nearly all deployment sites to gather candid feedback from doctors and "super users" who utilize the system daily. This feedback has led to actionable changes in ticket management and training protocols. The VA is confident that this increased accountability, combined with strict performance benchmarks for vendor partner Oracle Health, will allow for a full national deployment by 2031.

For sea service veterans, a unified EHR means a seamless transition from the Department of War (DOW) to the VA. Medical histories, imaging, and lab results will follow the veteran from the moment they swear their oath until their final day of care, reducing the need for repeat tests and improving patient safety. This integration is designed to give doctors and nurses more time for meaningful conversations with patients rather than navigating fragmented digital records.

The FRA will continue to advocate for AI Oversight in Claims and systems to ensure that automation does not replace human accuracy. We remain committed to ensuring that the transition to a modern EHR truly serves the clinician and the veteran, rather than becoming another bureaucratic hurdle.

Coast Guard Rescues Family 
In a powerful display of search and rescue capability, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett rescued a family of three missing for a week in the waters off Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia. The family’s 23-foot skiff had gone missing on March 30 following an engine failure, sparking a massive search operation that eventually covered over 14,000 square nautical miles. The Midgett’s bridge watchstanders spotted the small vessel in rough, 10-foot seas just after midnight on April 6, a feat of situational awareness that the ship’s captain attributed to rigorous, constant training.

The rescue involved a highly coordinated effort between the U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia, Air Station Barbers Point in Hawaii, and international partners. The Midgett, which was already conducting a Western Pacific patrol focused on maritime law enforcement, diverted from its primary mission to execute the rescue. This operation highlights the strategic value of maintaining a capable surface presence in the Indo-Pacific, where vast distances and harsh conditions make timely rescue missions exceptionally difficult.

U.S. Ambassador Jennifer Johnson praised the rescue as a reflection of the "deep and enduring partnership" between the United States and the Federated States of Micronesia. All three survivors were rescued uninjured and returned to their loved ones in Weno. This successful mission highlights the "Always Ready" spirit of the Coast Guard and the essential nature of their presence in maintaining the safety of life at sea across the Pacific.

The FRA uses this successful rescue to reinforce our advocacy for H.R. 5401, the Pay Our Troops Act. When our Coast Guard crews are performing high-stakes, lifesaving missions in the middle of the Pacific, they should not have to worry about whether their families at home are being taken care of due to a government shutdown. This mission proves that the Coast Guard is an indispensable part of our national security and deserves the same financial protections as every other military branch.

Your Health. Your Right to Know. Your Voice Matters.
You served with honor and made high-stakes decisions with full awareness of the risks. You deserve that same transparency in your healthcare. Currently, many veterans receive powerful medications without full written disclosure of risks, side effects, or alternatives.

H.R. 4837, the Written Informed Consent Act, puts control back in your hands. This legislation ensures written informed consent is required not just for opioids, but also for antidepressants, antipsychotics, stimulants, and anxiolytics.

This means:
Full information before treatment begins.
Clear understanding of risks and alternatives.
The power to make informed decisions for your body and future.

This is about accountability and protecting those who have given so much. We need your voice. Take a moment to complete this survey and stand in support of stronger protections. You fought for this country; now fight for your right to informed care.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY