More than 250,000 new Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare so far in 2026

WASHINGTON — More than 250,000 new Veterans have enrolled in VA healthcare so far in 2026, a testament to the landmark improvements VA has made during the second Trump Administration. Under President Trump, VA is improving its outreach to Veterans who aren’t enrolled in VA care and benefits, which can save Veterans and their families thousands of dollars per year. This effort has already led to more than 1.4 million completed or scheduled medical appointments with Veterans who joined in 2026. That includes more than 300,000 mental health appointments and more than 12,000 emergency care visits. “Under President Trump, we are reforming VA from a bureaucratic organization into one that always puts Veterans first,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins . “That means drastically cutting wait times and backlogs, delivering more direct care and community care than ever before, and making historic investments in new and improved facilities. Veterans are noticing the difference, and these massive healthcare enrollment numbers underscore that fact.” Veterans who want to learn more about VA can visit  this site or call VA 24/7 at 800-698-2411. Under the second Trump Administration, VA is putting Veterans first by relentlessly focusing on customer service and convenience. We’re making VA benefits better, faster and easier to use than ever before. Here is proof: VA has opened 41 new healthcare clinics since January 2025, expanding access for Veterans around the country. The backlog of Veterans waiting for VA benefits is  down more than 70%  since Jan. 20, 2025, after it increased 24% during the Biden Administration. VA’s average disability claims processing time is down 46% since Jan. 20, 2025. VA completed a record high 82,083,918 direct care appointments in FY 2025, up 4.1% from FY 2024. VA completed a record high 59,989,662 community care appointments in FY 2025, up 12% from FY 2024. VA will  spend nearly $5 billion in FY 2026  to modernize, repair and improve health care facilities, the largest non-recurring maintenance investment in VA’s history. Since Jan. 20, 2025, VA has offered Veterans more than 3.1 million appointments outside of normal operating hours. These early-morning, evening, and weekend appointments are giving Veterans more timely and convenient options for care. VA  permanently housed 51,936 homeless Veterans  across the country in FY25, the highest total in seven years. View more VA accomplishments here: https://department.va.gov/veteransfirst/ Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online. Contact us online through Ask VA Veterans can also use our chatbot to get information about VA benefits and services. The chatbot won’t connect you with a person, but it can show you where to go on VA.gov to find answers to some common questions. Learn about our chatbot and ask a question Subscribe today to receive these news releases in your inbox. More from the Press Room News Releases September 8, 2026 President Trump’s executive order means faster access to VA healthcare, benefits than ever before President Donald J. Trump today signed an executive order that will reduce by weeks the average time it takes Veterans to secure Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. News Releases September 4, 2026 VA dedicates Nevada’s first national cemetery VA dedicates Nevada’s first national cemetery in Elko, Nevada. News Releases September 2, 2026 VA cemeteries to host National Day of Service and Remembrance marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance hosted at VA cemeteries marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11. — VA Press Room — official release from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Furnished by the department. Not a Notice Nearby paid placement. This page reprints an official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs release from the VA Press Room. Notice Nearby did not write this. Read the original: https://news.va.gov/press-room/more-than-250000-new-veterans-enrolled-in-va-healthcare-so-far-in-2026