Ciscomani Applauds More Than $1 Billion Paid to AZ Veteran Healthcare Providers in FY2025 Through Bipartisan MISSION Act

Tucson, AZ - U.S. Representative Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) is commending the Department of Veteran Affairs' (VA) payment of more than $36 billion dollars to local healthcare providers across the nation for Fiscal Year 2025. Arizona healthcare providers received the tenth-highest payment, totaling $1 billion.

This funding is a result of the VA MISSION Act, which passed Congress with sweeping bipartisan support and was signed into law by President Trump in 2018. This legislation created a benefit allowing eligible veterans to choose care from any authorized local, non-VA healthcare providers at VA expense. VA payment for that care comes from the Veterans Community Care Program, the fourth largest healthcare payer program in the United States. This program provides healthcare services supporting well over eight million enrolled veterans.

Congress further reaffirmed its dedication to veteran healthcare choice by enacting the bipartisan Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act of 2025. Representative Ciscomani was proud to introduce this bill and has continually advocated for the benefits it provides to veterans in Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District. This legislation requires VA to ensure veterans and referring clinicians are able to choose community care without additional review when this care is in the veteran’s best interest. Additionally, under current law, veterans can also choose community care in circumstances such as a high average driving or wait time that exceeds a certain threshold, or a need for a service not offered by VA.

Both the VA MISSION Act and the Senator Elizabeth Dole Act have benefitted local veterans by increasing their access to care in rural communities. Our veterans who reside in rural areas of AZ-06 answered the same call to serve as all veterans have, and it’s our duty to protect and enhance their access to healthcare. These pieces of legislation have increased that access, allowing veterans to choose community care that meets their needs as an alternative to strictly receiving care at VA facilities.

"As Representative of nearly 80,000 veterans, I am committed to bringing forth and passing legislation that directly supports the men and women who bravely wore the uniform," said Rep. Ciscomani. "Through introducing and pushing forward legislation such as the Senator Elizabeth Dole Act, I have fought to bring critical funding back to the veterans of AZ-06 to increase their access to and quality of care. I applaud VA payment of $1 billion dollars to Arizona veteran healthcare providers last year and look forward to how bills like the VA MISSION Act will continue to improve the quality and availability of care for our veterans."

Representative Ciscomani remains dedicated to supporting veterans through his work in Congress and continues to prioritize the unique needs of the veteran community.

Read more on how the VA MISSION Act and Senator Elizabeth Dole Act are supporting veterans HERE.

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