The House Appropriations Committee has released its FY25 markup, detailing significant funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The proposed budget reflects a commitment to enhancing veterans' services and medical care.
Total Funding
The Department of Veterans Affairs is set to receive $337.4 billion for FY25. This amount exceeds the FY25 Budget Request by $75.5 million and is $30.2 billion above the FY24 enacted level.
Veterans’ Medical Care
A total of $112.6 billion is allocated for veterans' medical care, fully aligning with the FY25 Budget Request. This funding ensures that veterans continue to receive comprehensive medical services, including both routine care and specialized treatments.
Veterans’ Benefits and Toxic Exposures-Related Needs
The markup includes full funding for veterans’ benefits and addresses toxic exposures-related needs for FY25. This includes:
- Toxic Exposures Fund (TEF): $22.8 billion in advance funding is dedicated to the TEF. This fund is crucial for addressing the health impacts associated with veterans' exposure to toxic substances during their service.
Medical and Prosthetic Research
The budget allocates $923.5 million for medical and prosthetic research and development, as authorized by chapter 73 of title 38, United States Code. This funding is available until September 30, 2026, and includes provisions to ensure:
- Sufficient amounts are allocated for prosthetic research specifically for female veterans.
- Adequate funding is directed toward toxic exposure research.
Stay tuned for more updates as the FY25 budget progresses through the legislative process.
