Lawmakers are calling for an independent audit of TRICARE’s pharmacy program amid concerns that the contractor tasked with managing the program is pushing servicemembers toward its own pharmacies and driving out smaller retailers.
VA Whole Health Team Approach Outperforms CBT, Usual Care for Chronic Pain
A large, multisite randomized trial has delivered the first rigorous test of the VA’s Whole Health approach to chronic pain, finding that an interdisciplinary whole-health team modestly outperformed both cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and usual care in reducing how much pain interferes with veterans’ daily lives.
Pediatric Acute Respiratory Infections Lead to Lost Workdays for Active-Duty Servicemembers
Pediatric acute respiratory infections result in absenteeism for both children and their caregivers who are active-duty servicemembers, leading to lost duty days and reduced military readiness, according to a recent study.
Geriatric Surgery Program Enhances Care Coordination, Promotes Safer Surgeries for Older Veterans
A program developed to address the challenges that older adults experience when undergoing surgery has improved the coordination of care for older veterans and promoted safer, more goal-aligned surgery for older adults, according to a recent study.
Plan for Homeless Veterans Haven in Los Angeles Continues to Be Plagued by Problems, Cost Concerns
While VA is lauding its progress in creating a haven for homeless veterans on its West Los Angeles campus, lawmakers are concerned about ongoing delays in the project and the unprecedented level of secrecy required of contractors.
Military Will No Longer Require Annual Influenza Vaccines for Personnel
Annual influenza vaccines are no longer mandatory for military personnel.
New Executive Order Fast-Tracks the Use of Psychedelics to Treat Mental Health Disorders in Veterans
An executive order recently signed by President Donald Trump paves the way for expanded federal research into the use of psychedelics to treat mental health disorders, as well as directing the Food and Drug Administration to fast-track products shown to have promising results.
GOP Members on House VA Committee Seek Omnibus Bill Process to Reauthorize Agency Programs
In an effort to regain some of the congressional authority that has eroded in the last year, Republicans on the House VA Committee are seeking to develop an authorization process for VA similar to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which is used to annually fund the military and some VA construction projects.
GLP‑1 Drugs, Healthy Lifestyle Together Appear to Reduce CVD Risk
In Type 2 diabetes patients, use of GLP‑1 drugs combined with healthy lifestyle habits is associated with reduced risk of major adverse cardiovascular events.
VA Secretary Argued Strongly for VA Reorganization, but Legislators Expressed Concerns
VA Secretary Doug Collins, appeared before the House VA Committee to defend his plans to reorganize the department, declaring, “We’re the largest healthcare system in the country, but we’ve never acted like it.
VA Quietly Reinstated Almost Total Ban on Abortion Late Last Year
In the waning days of 2025, VA quietly reinstated its near-total ban on abortion care and counseling. The ban was implemented following a memo from the Department of Justice stating that their revised interpretation of federal law prohibits the department from providing abortion services to veterans and their families.
How Mental Health, Substance Use Affect Mammography Uptake in Women Veterans
Women veterans are more likely than their civilian peers to experience mental health disorders, yet how those conditions affect preventive care—such as mammography—has been unclear.
Uproar Created When IVF Coverage for Servicemembers Was Stripped From Military Funding Bill
While in vitro fertilization (IVF) coverage was included in both the House and Senate versions of the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), it was stripped at the last minute from the final package, even though federal civilian employees, including members of Congress and their staff, already receive the benefit.
Servicemembers, Veterans Are Quitting Psychotherapy Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Nearly a quarter of servicemembers and veterans who are being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) quit psychotherapy before they finish treatment, and some key therapies have the highest dropout rates, according to a recent study.
Tendon Injuries Pose a Significant Burden for U.S. Servicemembers, Especially Younger Ones
Tendinopathy, an overuse injury that affects the structure and function of tendons, is a significant concern for U.S. military servicemembers, particularly those just beginning their careers, a new study revealed.
Indian Health Service Weathered Shutdown OK, but Weaknesses Still Threaten Its Mission
During the 2018 government shutdown, the Indian Health Service was forced to cut tribal services, burned through medical supplies it had on hand and opened discussions into closing some facilities.
Smoke ’Em If You Got ’Em: Veterans Continue to Use Tobacco More Than Broader Community
In the World War II era, servicemembers being urged to take a break would be told by their superiors, “Smoke ’em if you got ’em.” That’s how widespread use of cigarettes was among the military.
Cause of Unusual Bacterial Conjunctivitis Outbreak in Military Trainees Remains Unknown
Even though bacterial conjunctivitis is uncommon in immunocompetent adults and Neisseria meningitidis is an unusual bacterial cause of conjunctivitis, 41 cases of the infection were recently recognized in young, healthy military trainees here.
Sustained Tele-Critical Care Improves ICU Outcomes in VA Hospitals
Tele-critical care (TCC) aims to put critical-care expertise within reach for every ICU patient, connecting bedside teams with remote intensivists and nurses who monitor patients in real time and step in when complications arise.
VA Seeks to Ban Nearly All Abortions at Its Medical Centers
VA has taken steps to ban nearly all abortions at its medical centers, as well as to stop covering the cost of the procedure for any spouses and dependents.
VA Announces Termination of Most Agreements with Employee Unions
VA has announced that it would be terminating most of its agreements with employee unions, effective immediately.
Legislation Would Allow Non-DoD Sources to Support Military Sexual Assault Claims
Legislation currently making its way through Congress could widen the door through which survivors of military sexual trauma (MST) can seek care at VA, while also making the claims process less retraumatizing.
Military Combatives Training Produces a High Rate of Concussions
Military servicemembers regularly participate in combatives training, participating in activities such as boxing, judo, martial arts and hand-to-hand combat, to acquire and maintain mission essential skills.
High-Speed Boat Impacts Might Pose Hidden Brain Risks for Naval Special Warfare Crewmen
For decades, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)—a devastating brain disease—has been linked primarily to contact sports like football and boxing.
Surgery for Medicare Advantage-Covered Veterans Cost VHA $78 Billion; MA Plans Still Got Full CMS Reimbursement
VHA enrollees enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans with high-veteran enrollment were significantly less likely to have surgeries paid by MA.
Women Veterans Less Adherent with Lung Cancer Screening Follow-up
Although the 2021 update to the United States Preventive Services Task Force guidelines for lung cancer screening (LCS) called for a reduction in disparities related to sex, race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status, few studies have looked at LCS adherence among female veterans.
Sleep Apnea Found to Be ‘Critical’ Issue for Military Personnel
Screening, triage and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could be a game-changer for the U.S. military, according to a new study.
Gulf War Veterans Could Face Future Risk of Clonal Hematopoiesis
Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) is a precursor to myeloid neoplasms (MN) and could be an indicator of clinically significant toxin exposure by military servicemembers, according to a pilot study.
VA Unions Fighting White House Order to Strip Collective Bargaining Rights
According to VA union leaders, President Donald Trump and VA officials are targeting unions involved in lawsuits against the administration, stripping millions of federal workers of collective bargaining rights, while rewarding those who stay silent.
Congressional VA Committee Members Seek to Mitigate Staff Cuts
The Trump administration’s plan to cut approximately 80,000 employees from VA is receiving pushback from both Republicans and Democrats in Congress.