🏥 Big Changes Ahead: What a 50% Boost to Community Care Funding Could Mean for Veterans
There’s been a lot of talk lately about veterans’ access to care—and this month, it got real. On June 4, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a budget proposal that includes a 50% increase in funding for the VA’s Community Care program. That’s a big jump. But what does it actually mean? And how could it affect veterans and the instructors who serve them?
Let’s break it down.
🚪 What Is Community Care?
First, a quick refresher.
The VA’s Community Care program allows eligible veterans to receive care from non-VA providers—like local clinics, doctors, or specialists in the community. Veterans might use Community Care if:
- They live far from a VA facility
- They face long wait times
- They need a service the VA doesn’t offer nearby
In theory, this gives veterans more options, and helps them get care faster and closer to home.
💸 What’s in the New Proposal?
The House GOP budget plan, introduced June 4, would raise Community Care funding by 50%, adding billions to the program. Supporters say this gives veterans more control—letting them get the care they need, when and where they need it.
The proposal passed through the House Appropriations Committee by June 25 as part of a broader $453 billion VA budget for FY 2026. This makes it the first major VA-related spending bill to advance out of committee this year—a key milestone in the budgeting process.
Now the plan moves to the Senate, where negotiations are ongoing. It’s not yet final. Senate leaders are currently debating a much larger healthcare and infrastructure package, which could adjust, delay, or reshape this funding increase before October 1.
🧩 More Choice—But Not Necessarily Less Support
Some people worry that boosting Community Care funding might take money away from VA hospitals and clinics. But that’s not always true.
In fact, Community Care can actually save money in certain situations. For example, if a veteran needs a special service—like acupuncture or Tai Chi for pain relief—it might cost less for the VA to refer them to a community provider than to build a full-time program or hire new staff in-house.
That means this funding shift could be a wash financially. Or in some cases, it might even help the VA by reducing the need for permanent infrastructure—especially for smaller or niche services like Complementary and Integrative Health Services (CIHS).
It’s not about replacing the VA—it’s about using the right resources in the right places, so veterans get what they need, when and where they need it most.
⏳ Why Now?
Community Care use has been growing steadily since 2018, when the MISSION Act made it easier for veterans to qualify. As wait times and provider shortages continued post-pandemic, more veterans turned to private options.
At the same time, VA staffing challenges and facility closures have made it harder for some veterans—especially in rural areas—to access traditional VA services.
So now, Congress is asking: Should we build more inside the VA? Or buy more care outside it?
The new funding plan leans strongly toward the second option.
🧠What This Means for Instructors
For those of us working in veteran wellness—especially Tai Chi instructors and movement professionals—this shift could have big ripple effects.
If more veterans are referred to outside care, instructors already working in community settings might see more opportunities to lead classes, wellness programs, or recovery support.
But it also means we need to stay informed.
Some programs, especially those funded or housed inside VA facilities, could face tighter budgets or changes in scheduling. It’s possible we’ll see:
- More partnerships between VA and non-VA facilities (YMCAs, community centers, etc.)
- New grants or contracts opening up for wellness professionals
- A greater need for clear documentation and referrals when working with veterans outside the VA
🌱 What Should We Do?
No matter where we serve, our mission stays the same: to support the whole health of every veteran we reach.
Here’s how we can prepare:
- Stay updated on policy changes and regional funding updates
- Connect with local clinics and community partners—they may be key players in upcoming expansions
- Make space for dialogue with veterans—some may be confused or concerned about what’s changing
At the end of the day, the goal is simple: make sure veterans don’t fall through the cracks. Whether care happens in a hospital, a park, or a Zoom room, what matters most is connection, compassion, and consistency.
đź”— In Summary
The House’s plan to boost Community Care funding by 50% is a big shift—and one that could shape the future of veteran healthcare. It could mean shorter wait times and greater access to services. And while some worry this could pull resources away from the VA, it may actually help by offloading niche services and expanding care flexibility.
As of now, the proposal has cleared House committee review and is heading to the Senate, where the final version of the FY 2026 VA budget is still in progress.
As Tai Chi instructors and wellness leaders, our job is to meet the moment with balance: embracing new opportunities while protecting the heart of what makes veteran care so meaningful.