Jordan Ellis
The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has stated that, in the event of a government shutdown, its hospitals and medical facilities will remain open and fully operational. This is because, in 2009, Congress passed a law to fund the VA a year in advance, allowing VA healthcare to plan ahead and continue operating even if the government shuts down. The VA Contingency Plan for the shutdown states that nearly all of its employees—approximately 96%—are ordered to report to work as usual. However, veterans will be affected by the shutdown of other services they rely on, such as education and job training, support for veteran-owned businesses, and assistance for homeless veterans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| VA Hospitals | Should be running normally or close to normal |
| VA Medical Appointment and Prescription Drug Phone Lines | Will be active during the shutdown |
| VA Medical Facilities and Clinics | Will remain operational |
| VA Employees | 96% ordered to report to work as usual |
| VA Benefits | Will continue to be processed and delivered |
| VA Burial Benefits | Will continue |
| VA Contact Centers | Open 24/7 |
| VA Health Care | Not impacted |
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What You'll Learn
VA hospitals and clinics remain open and operational
In the event of a government shutdown, VA hospitals and clinics remain open and operational. The VA healthcare system, including hospitals and outpatient clinics, will remain fully operational. According to the VA Contingency Plan, federal activities that are authorized to continue during a funding lapse include the safety and protection of human life and property. As a result, VA medical facilities remain open, and appointments at VA hospitals and clinics continue as usual.
In 2009, Congress passed a law to fund the VA one year in advance, allowing the VA healthcare system to plan ahead and ensure that its operations are not affected by a government shutdown. This means that even in the event of a shutdown, veterans will still be able to access their healthcare and benefits from the VA. All VA medical appointment and prescription drug phone lines will remain active, and veterans can continue to get their prescriptions filled and make appointments with medical providers.
VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers will remain open during a shutdown. The VA will continue to process and deliver benefits, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits. Burials will also continue at VA national cemeteries, and applications for headstones, markers, and burial benefits processing will be unaffected. The Board of Veterans' Appeals will continue to make decisions on veterans' cases, and the VA Contact Centers (1-800-MyVA411) and the Veterans Crisis Line (Dial 988, Press 1) will remain open 24/7.
While VA hospitals and clinics will generally remain operational during a government shutdown, there may be some variations in specific services offered. In some cases, care packages and comfort services may be reduced or cut off due to reduced staffing. Additionally, certain employees performing medical and prosthetic research may be furloughed, which could impact specific medical research projects. However, the overall impact on VA hospitals and clinics is expected to be minimal, and veterans can expect to receive their regular healthcare and benefits.
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Veterans' health care and benefits are not impacted
Veterans' healthcare and benefits are not impacted by a government shutdown. The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to delivering uninterrupted healthcare and benefits to veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.
VA Hospitals, outpatient clinics, and vet centres will remain open and operational. Veterans will continue to have access to their healthcare, including appointments, prescription drugs, and medical procedures. In 2009, Congress passed a law to fund the VA one year in advance, allowing VA healthcare to plan ahead and maintain funding for an additional year beyond a government shutdown.
VA benefits, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits, will also continue to be processed and delivered. The Board of Veterans' Appeals will remain operational, and VA Contact Centres and the Veterans Crisis Line will be open 24/7 to provide support and assistance.
While some veteran services may be affected during a government shutdown, such as education and job training, support for veteran-owned businesses, and assistance for homeless veterans, it is important to note that healthcare and benefits will remain accessible and unaffected.
The VA Contingency Plan ensures that nearly all VA employees, approximately 96%, are ordered to report to work as usual during a shutdown. This prioritises the safety and protection of human life and property, ensuring that veterans' healthcare and benefits are not disrupted.
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Prescription drugs and medical appointments continue
During a government shutdown, VA Hospitals should continue to run normally, or close to normal. This is because, in 2009, Congress passed a law to fund the VA one year in advance. This allows VA healthcare to plan ahead and ensures that VA healthcare is funded for an additional year beyond the government shutdown.
All VA medical appointment and prescription drug phone lines will remain active during the shutdown. Veterans will still be able to access their healthcare, benefits, and memorial services from VA. VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers will be open. VA benefits will continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits.
In the event of a government shutdown, inpatient care is expected to continue as usual at Department of Defense medical treatment facilities, according to the White House. The same goes for acute and emergency outpatient care in DoD medical and dental facilities. Certification of eligibility for healthcare benefits is also expected to continue. Another exception to a shutdown is medical care for wounded warriors, including surgery to continue recovery of function and/or appearance.
Veterans in need of urgent or emergent care should dial 911 or seek assistance at their local VA medical facility. This includes Veterans seeking care for mental health emergencies. Additionally, Veterans should plan to keep all scheduled appointments. If they need to cancel their appointment, they can call the central appointments line. Veterans, family members, and caregivers may also manage appointments, request prescription refills, and send messages to their patient-aligned care team via secure messaging at My HealtheVet.
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Veterans' benefits continue to be processed and delivered
Veterans' benefits will continue to be processed and delivered during a government shutdown. This includes compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits. The VA healthcare system, including hospitals and outpatient clinics, will remain fully operational. VA health care is protected, as Congress passed a law in 2009 to fund the VA one year in advance. This allows VA health care to plan ahead and ensures funding for an additional year beyond a government shutdown.
During a shutdown, veterans will still be able to access their VA doctors and VA Choice providers for any health care needs. They will also be able to get their prescriptions filled and make appointments with medical providers. All VA medical appointment and prescription drug phone lines will remain active.
While some services to veterans may be unaffected during a shutdown, other VA services may not be available. However, it's important to note that VA benefits will continue to be processed and delivered. This includes claims processing and payments in various programs, such as compensation, pension, education, and vocational rehabilitation.
The VA is committed to delivering benefits to veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors, even in the event of a shutdown. The VA Contingency Plan ensures that nearly all VA employees, approximately 96%, are ordered to report to work as usual. This allows VA operations to continue, providing veterans with access to healthcare, benefits, and memorial services.
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Veterans' services like education and job training are affected
A government shutdown affects funding to government agencies, including the military and defense. While some services to veterans will be unaffected, other VA services will not be available to veterans and their families.
While veteran health care is not impacted, and VA medical facilities and clinics remain operational, some functions will lapse. For example, VA public-facing regional offices would be closed, and outreach to veterans would not be possible.
Additionally, there may be a delay in implementing new programs or revisions to older ones due to a lack of new spending. This could potentially affect training programs that require new or updated equipment.
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Frequently asked questions
No, VA hospitals are expected to remain open and fully functional during a government shutdown.
Yes, veterans will still be able to access their health care during a government shutdown. They will also be able to get their prescriptions filled and make appointments with medical providers.
Yes, VA medical facilities and clinics will remain operational during a government shutdown.
Yes, veterans will continue to receive their benefits during a government shutdown. This includes compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits.
Most VA employees will continue working during a government shutdown. Only employees performing medical and prosthetic research would be furloughed.
