Newsbytes September 19, 2025 
 

In this issue:
FY26 NDAA Passes House 
FRA Support Veterans Benefits Live in Cary, NC 
Harnessing AI to Transform Veterans' Care 
Tricare West Region Beneficiaries Face Sept. 30 Deadline  

 

FY26 NDAA Passes House 
The House Armed Services Committee has advanced a sweeping package of reforms designed to improve the daily lives of servicemembers and their families in the FY26 NDAA. The proposals address pay, housing, healthcare, childcare, and transition programs, marking one of the most comprehensive quality-of-life initiatives in recent years. 

Compensation and Benefits: The reforms include a 3.8% pay raise for all servicemembers, increased Family Separation Allowance, and reauthorization of key bonuses and special pay. Eligibility for the Basic Needs Allowance would expand by removing the housing allowance from income calculations. New policies also extend bereavement and convalescent leave to provide families greater stability. 

Housing, Food, and Healthcare: More than $1.4 billion is authorized for new barracks and family housing, with mandates to fix health and safety issues in existing facilities. A $137 million investment will fund new dining facilities, while access to on-base meals will be simplified through Common Access Cards. Healthcare reforms include over $577 million for medical facility upgrades, expanded mental health and maternal care services, and lower thresholds for travel reimbursement. Dental coverage under TRICARE will also expand to reservists. 

Childcare and Education: Recognizing the burden of childcare, the bill authorizes over $361 million for new childcare centers and expands the “Child Care in Your Home” pilot program. Families will also benefit from stronger protections against neglect in military childcare services. Additionally, $147 million is slated for new DoD schools, while military children in public schools, including those with disabilities, will receive increased support. 

Transition and Recruitment: To help servicemembers reenter civilian life, training will be made more transferable to civilian careers, while Veterans Service Organizations will gain a stronger role in transition assistance. Pilot programs will streamline health record transfers, expand apprenticeships, and broaden SkillBridge access. On the recruitment side, bonuses are extended, medical waivers updated, and recruiters given more access to schools and universities. 

The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) welcomes these improvements and will continue to advocate for sustained investments in servicemember quality of life. The Senate will take up its version of the bill next, followed by a conference to reconcile differences before final passage. With a possible continuing resolution (CR) looming, FRA emphasizes that ensuring these reforms move forward without delay is critical to both readiness and retention. 

FRA Support Veterans Benefits Live in Cary, NC 
Veterans and their families turned out in large numbers this week for Veterans Benefits Live: VA in My Town at the Herbert Young Community Center. Running September 18–20, the event offers face-to-face support for VA claims, appeals, and healthcare questions. 

Attendees received live assistance with filing new claims, correcting errors, and submitting supporting evidence. Health screenings and flu vaccinations were also available, allowing Veterans to address medical needs while connecting with VA staff and service officers. 

Members of the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) including Shipmate Ray Martin, S.D Martin and ADLP Theo Lawson were on hand throughout the event, helping Veterans navigate the claims process and prepare documentation. Their presence ensured attendees had experienced advocates by their side, making complex procedures more manageable and effective. 

Beyond formal services, the event fostered community, with food and fellowship giving Veterans the chance to share experiences and build support networks. The event continues through Saturday, September 20, with hours Thursday–Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Veterans are encouraged to bring DD-214 forms, medical records, and other documentation to maximize the benefits of onsite services. 

Harnessing AI to Transform Veterans' Care 
A recent congressional subcommittee hearing on artificial intelligence (AI) at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) emphasized both the promise and risks of new technology in veterans’ care. Leaders including VA CTO Charles Worthington and GAO’s Carol Harris outlined how AI could reduce paperwork, speed up claims, and improve medical outcomes, even as VA continues to struggle with outdated IT systems and siloed data across 172 facilities. Importantly, veterans should note that AI is meant to support clinicians, not replace them, with programs like REACHVET already saving lives by identifying at-risk veterans for early intervention. 

VA’s use of AI has grown dramatically, from 40 use cases in 2023 to 229 in 2024, with 82% tied directly to health care. High-impact applications include AI-assisted colonoscopies that improve cancer detection by 21% and generative tools that save staff two hours a week, freeing time for patient care. Still, 64% of these systems impact veteran rights or safety, requiring careful oversight given past mistakes like the $7 billion in improper VBA payments tied to flawed automation. The FRA stresses that while these tools can be valuable, human involvement in final decision-making remains essential. 

Data privacy and trust were also central themes. VA requires all AI systems to meet strict security standards and prohibits vendors from reusing veteran data. Transparency is maintained through annual public inventories, with the next update expected in December 2025. However, recent contractor-related cybersecurity breaches show why additional privacy officers and clear communication with veterans are needed. Veterans should feel confident that clinicians, not algorithms, remain in control of care decisions, particularly in sensitive areas like suicide prevention. 

Looking forward, VA’s five AI priorities, expanding access, reimagining workflows, upgrading infrastructure, building an AI-ready workforce, and ensuring strong governance, will shape how technology affects veterans. Pilots like ambient listening are already underway in 10 facilities, with early reports showing clinicians gain more time for patient care. But workforce shortages, IT gaps, and looming budget cuts could slow progress. The FRA welcomes responsible innovation but cautions that AI must enhance, not erode, trust in VA care, and will continue to advocate for safeguards, transparency, and the central role of human judgment in every step of the process. 

Tricare West Region Beneficiaries Face Sept. 30 Deadline  
Tricare Prime beneficiaries in the West Region must act by Sept. 30, 2025, to secure new specialty care referrals to avoid out-of-pocket costs, as outlined by Tricare officials. This deadline applies to two groups: those receiving care under referrals issued during the special referral approval waiver from Jan. 1 to June 30, 2025, and those with active referrals issued before Jan. 1, 2025, by the previous contractor, Health Net Federal Services. Beneficiaries under the waiver need a new referral to a network specialist before Oct. 1 to continue care without point-of-service fees. Similarly, those with pre-2025 referrals can see their specialist until the referral expires or Sept. 30, whichever comes first. Immediate action is essential for uninterrupted specialty care. 

The deadline stems from the transition to TriWest Healthcare Alliance as the West Region contractor in early 2025, which caused referral approval issues for Tricare Prime beneficiaries. A temporary waiver earlier this year allowed care without prior approvals, but this ends on Sept. 30. Beneficiaries must contact their primary care manager to obtain new referrals, as TriWest requires processing time. Jacob Sanchez, Tricare’s referral management expert, stated, “It’s important that you take the time now to evaluate your current referrals and plan ahead for specialty care you may need starting Oct. 1.” This ensures coverage and prevents unexpected costs for non-network specialist visits. 

Beneficiaries in the West Region should prioritize reviewing their referral status to maintain seamless care. Those enrolled in Tricare Select plans typically do not need referrals for specialty care, and beneficiaries in the East Region or overseas are unaffected by this deadline. The Defense Health Agency emphasizes prompt action to avoid disruptions, given earlier challenges with TriWest’s referral process. By coordinating with primary care managers now, beneficiaries can ensure continued access to Tricare Prime benefits without financial penalties, maintaining coordinated and cost-effective treatment. 

Failure to secure a new referral by Oct. 1 may lead to point-of-service fees for non-network specialist visits, potentially increasing costs for beneficiaries. The referral process is designed to keep care within Tricare’s network, ensuring efficient and affordable treatment. Beneficiaries should confirm their specialist’s network status and initiate the referral process promptly to allow TriWest adequate time to approve requests. Taking these steps now will help beneficiaries maintain access to necessary specialty care, supporting Tricare’s commitment to addressing healthcare needs amidst the West Region’s contractual transition challenges.