$441B VA Budget 2026: PACT Act, BRAVE & EHR Priorities

What does VA’s FY 2026 budget request include?

It requests about $441.2 billion across all funds, combining $134.6 billion discretionary operations with $301.2 billion mandatory benefits.

Operational needs include $52.7 billion from the Toxic Exposures Fund, $3.495 billion for the federal EHR, and $1.1 billion for BRAVE homelessness assistance. These figures are requests; Congress sets final appropriations. Public budget materials explain the proposal; execution depends on enacted levels, operating plans, and timing of projects and contracts.

1. Start by separating totals across all funds from the discretionary operations and mandatory entitlements; this clarifies how much funds operations versus payments directly owed to beneficiaries under statute and the Toxic Exposures Fund.
2. Identify major drivers: community care, mental health, homelessness initiatives, and EHR modernization. These shape access, processing capacity, technology readiness, and the pace of facility improvements across the system.
3. Remember that congressional action can adjust levels, directions, and timelines. Review enacted bills and agency operating plans to understand where and when dollars will actually be applied within the fiscal year.

Amounts reflect VA’s request; enacted appropriations will set final levels.

How do discretionary and mandatory funding differ—and why does TEF matter?

Discretionary dollars run VA’s operations; mandatory dollars pay entitlements; TEF covers PACT Act–related costs without squeezing base care.

Discretionary accounts fund care delivery, IT, construction, and administration. Mandatory programs pay disability compensation, pensions, education, and credit subsidies according to statute. TEF, a mandatory fund, finances costs above 2021 levels tied to toxic exposures, ensuring expanded care and benefits do not reduce core medical services.

1. Identify the program’s nature: if it pays benefits under law it is mandatory; if it operates services and systems it is discretionary, even when both are within the same line of business.
2. Trace how TEF investments support care and claims tied to exposures, reducing pressure on core medical appropriations that fund clinics, facilities, and modernization efforts across the enterprise.
3. Check enacted language each year. Discretionary levels can change in appropriations, while mandatory programs continue meeting obligations; TEF levels may also be adjusted legislatively to match evolving workloads.

This distinction helps explain how VA funds both day‑to‑day operations and large, caseload‑driven obligations.

What changes should Veterans expect in health care access?

Expect more mental‑health capacity, faster residential treatment admissions, and community care when standards are met, plus targeted growth in women’s and rural health services.

The request supports more outpatient visits and targeted investments where demand is greatest. Residential treatment access is prioritized, with added community placements when in‑house capacity cannot meet access standards. Women Veterans’ services, rural initiatives, and telehealth strengthen care closer to home, while continuity remains a central focus.

1. Discuss treatment options with your VA team, including residential programs and timing; ask whether community placement is warranted based on clinical need and access standards in your area.
2. Confirm assigned women’s health providers and available services; clarify referral pathways for obstetrics, gynecology, and specialty care to minimize delays, especially during pregnancy or complex treatment planning.
3. If experiencing or at risk of homelessness, request immediate assessment for prevention, rapid rehousing, or supportive housing options integrated with clinical services and case management to sustain stability.

Expect communications from facilities about any local capacity expansions and how to access them.

What will VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization deliver in 2026?

VA plans to sustain six live sites, bring 13 more live (19 total), and begin implementations at 26 additional medical centers for future go‑lives.

The request includes funding for the EHR contract, infrastructure readiness, and the program office. Priorities include site readiness, identity and access management, cybersecurity, training, and post‑go‑live support. The goal is an interoperable, longitudinal record with DoD and authorized partners, improving coordination and safety.

1. Before your facility’s go‑live, follow local notices explaining training and appointment logistics; note contacts for assistance if you encounter access or portal issues during the transition period.
2. During rollout, keep medications, allergies, and outside provider information handy to help clinicians verify data as workflows stabilize and teams adopt new documentation processes.
3. After go‑live, report usability or safety concerns quickly; user feedback guides release management and targeted fixes that improve clinical reliability and patient experience.

Deployment plans can shift based on site readiness and testing outcomes; facilities will communicate timelines and support options.

How does the request affect benefits, appeals, and education?

VBA seeks operational resources to process disability and pension claims, deliver education benefits, and oversee loan programs while driving backlog reduction through staffing, automation, and overtime.

The request positions VBA to handle PACT Act–driven receipts and maintain progress on appeals timeliness. It also funds education and workforce programs and supports credit programs, including Native American Direct Loans. Payment rates and eligibility follow statute; VA publishes rates and updates periodically.

1. When filing a claim, submit complete evidence packages and track status; if you disagree with a decision, choose the review lane that best fits your case and timeline.
2. Coordinate GI Bill benefits with your school’s certifying official, comparing program length, housing stipends, and transferability rules to avoid delays or overpayments as terms begin and end.
3. For home loans, compare guarantee and direct options, understand appraisal and occupancy rules, and ask about counseling support before you sign a purchase agreement.

Processing times vary with receipts, staffing, and system performance; follow official updates for operational changes and timelines.

What’s planned for cemeteries and construction?

NCA requests resources to operate national cemeteries and expand capacity; construction funding—augmented by RETF—modernizes facilities and advances projects such as St. Louis, West Los Angeles, and Riverside National Cemetery.

The plan supports dignified burials and sustained access to a burial option within reasonable distance for most Veterans. Construction priorities follow VA’s capital planning process to address safety, capacity, and modernization needs. Examples include gravesite development and significant medical center improvements.