We have submitted our new Industry Partner Consortium (IPC) Annual report, "Enhancing Excellence: Strategic Recommendations for Optimizing Extramural Research Across the VA," to the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees (HVAC, SVAC), the Appropriations Committees, and the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittees (MilCon-VA).

This report, developed in collaboration with our IPC, outlines four key recommendations for advancing clinical trials within the VA. By streamlining processes and expanding partnerships, we aim to ensure that veterans across the country have access to cutting-edge treatments and life-saving interventions.

We are grateful to our partners, including BCG, bioAffinity Technologies, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cognition Therapeutics, Genentech, Johnson & Johnson, MITRE, and Siemens Healthineers, for their contributions.

Today, NAVREF submitted formal comments to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the draft guidance “Diversity Action Plans to Improve Enrollment of Participants from Underrepresented Populations in Clinical Studies.” This guidance marks an important step in addressing the underrepresentation of diverse populations in clinical trials, which will ultimately improve the safety and effectiveness of medical products for all patients, including veterans.

NAVREF’s response highlighted the unique role the VA’s research programs can play in helping sponsors meet the FDA’s new diversity requirements. The VA serves a highly diverse population of veterans, including individuals from various racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This diversity offers an unparalleled opportunity for medical product sponsors to conduct inclusive clinical trials that reflect the demographics of patients who will use these products in real-world settings.

Read our comments here: NAVREF FDA Comments

NAVREF has joined a coalition of biomedical societies, academic institutions, and veterinary groups in signing a letter addressed to key Congressional leaders, urging them to strike Section 229 from the FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This section, titled "Prohibition on Availability of Funds For Canine and Feline Research," threatens to limit critical life-saving biomedical research and undermine the Department of Defense’s (DOD) capabilities to safeguard U.S. national security.

DOD’s animal research program, in collaboration with academic and veterinary institutions, has historically driven innovations in human and animal health, directly benefiting U.S. troops, veterans, and military working dogs. Research outcomes from this program have led to advancements in battlefield medicine, new therapies for infectious diseases, and improved cancer treatments for both humans and animals.

Section 229, if enacted, would hinder this vital research, weaken national biomedical preparedness, and push researchers to relocate their work abroad, where animal welfare standards may not be as rigorous as in the U.S. NAVREF and other organizations are calling on Congress to protect the future of biomedical research by removing Section 229 from the NDAA.

As always, NAVREF remains dedicated to advancing medical research that benefits veterans and ensuring that cutting-edge care continues to be available to those who serve.

On behalf of the Friends of VA Medical Care and Health Research (FOVA), NAVREF,  recently submitted a letter to key leaders of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Addressed to Chairman Mike Bost, Chairwoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and Ranking Members Mark Takano and Julia Brownley, the letter outlines serious concerns about the new interpretation of 18 U.S.C. §208, which we believe will negatively impact VA research and veterans' access to quality care.

This interpretation poses significant challenges to VA’s collaborations with academic and nonprofit affiliates, partnerships that have driven groundbreaking innovations for over 75 years. We have urged the committee to support legislative measures that would address the unintended consequences of OGE's interpretation, ensuring that VA research can continue to thrive and serve our nation’s veterans.

NAVREF, through FOVA, remains committed to protecting the VA research mission and delivering the highest standard of care for veterans.

On September 3, 2024, the Friends of VA Medical Care and Health Research (FOVA) Executive Committee submitted a letter to key leaders in the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittees. 

The letter highlights the growing demand for VA services following the passage of the PACT Act in August 2022. Since then, the VA has approved over one million PACT Act-related claims and disbursed over $112 billion in earned benefits. While these milestones reflect significant progress in serving veterans, they have also placed unprecedented pressure on VA resources.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has provided over 120 million healthcare appointments in FY 2023 alone, with even higher projections for FY 2024. However, the VHA faces a projected $12 billion shortfall in 2025 due to increased staffing, rising healthcare costs, and expanding community care services. The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) is also at risk, with potential funding gaps threatening timely payments to over 7 million veterans and their families.

FOVA warns that these budget shortfalls could severely impact the VA’s ability to deliver essential healthcare, benefits, and research services to veterans. The letter urges Congress to prioritize a robust allocation of resources to the VA to ensure it can continue meeting its obligations and providing high-quality care to those who have served the nation.

NAVREF, the chair of FOVA, remains committed to advocating for sustainable funding for VA research, healthcare, and benefits programs to honor the sacrifices of our veterans.

The American Cures Act, introduced by Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, represents a pivotal advancement in securing stable, robust funding for critical biomedical research. By establishing mandatory annual increases in funding for key research agencies such as the NIH, CDC, DoD, and VA, this legislation promises a steady flow of resources vital for groundbreaking discoveries and innovations.

The bill addresses the unpredictable nature of discretionary funding, ensuring that vital research will not be sidelined. By linking funding increases to medical inflation plus five percent, the American Cures Act provides a much-needed guarantee of support for scientists and researchers, fostering an environment of growth and stability in the field of biomedical research.

NAVREF wholeheartedly endorse this initiative. We recognize the essential role that consistent funding plays in maintaining America's leadership in medical advancements, from vaccines to cancer treatments. The American Cures Act will empower our research institutions to continue their invaluable work, driving forward the promise of new cures and treatments for future generations.

We applaud Senator Durbin and his co-sponsors for their commitment to enhancing our nation's research capabilities and ensuring that innovation remains at the forefront of our medical and scientific endeavors.

In a 27-0 vote, the Senate Appropriations Committee has unanimously approved the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Bill. This critical legislation allocates substantial funding to ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs and related agencies can continue to support our nation's veterans and their families.

The Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Act provides $129.57 billion in non-defense discretionary funding and $210.41 billion in mandatory funding to fulfill our nation's obligations to veterans. Additionally, the bill ensures future support with advance appropriations for FY 2026, including $131.44 billion for veterans’ medical care and $222.23 billion for veterans' benefits. It also includes $19.31 billion in defense spending for military construction and family housing for FY 2025.

Key allocations in the bill include $878 million for medical and prosthetics research, which is $10 million more than the President’s budget request. This funding supports ongoing and new research in areas such as traumatic brain injury and precision oncology and is augmented by additional funding for research into toxic exposures in the Toxic Exposures Fund. The bill also strengthens VA’s infrastructure by providing $2.45 billion for major and minor construction projects, $796 million over the fiscal year 2024, and $307 million for construction from the Recurring Expenses Transformation Fund. Additionally, the bill allocates $150 million for the construction of state extended care facilities, $9 million over the President’s budget request, and $65 million for the construction of state, territory, and Tribal veterans cemeteries—$5 million over the President’s budget request.

The bill includes $6.3 billion for information technology systems, in addition to funding previously provided through the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund to support PACT Act rollout. Furthermore, it provides $894 million in funding for the Electronic Health Record Modernization effort, prioritizing improvements at the sites currently using the new system before deploying it to other facilities.

The Fiscal Responsibility Act provided full funding for the Toxic Exposures Fund for fiscal year 2025, ensuring comprehensive support for veterans affected by toxic exposures.

This bill marks a significant step forward in fulfilling our commitments to veterans and ensuring the wellbeing of servicemembers and their families. NAVREF applauds the Committee’s unanimous decision and looks forward to the continued support and advocacy for our nation’s heroes.

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.

We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in our advocacy efforts! The Friends of VA Medical Care and Health Research (FOVA), the coalition we proudly chair, has garnered significant support from the House of Representatives for the Fiscal Year 2025 VA Medical and Prosthetic Research Program.

In collaboration with the House, FOVA has successfully secured 83 signatures on our Dear Colleague letter advocating for robust funding of $1.05 billion for the VA Medical and Prosthetic Research Program. This funding is crucial in advancing the health and well-being of our nation's veterans.

We invite you to read the full text of our Dear Colleague letter here.

The House has passed a $1.2 trillion government funding bill, consisting of six funding bills (Defense, Financial Services, Homeland Security, Labor-HHS-Education, Legislative Branch and State-Foreign Operations), in a 286-134 vote. The Senate is expected to swiftly approve it before the deadline to avoid a funding lapse. President Biden intends to sign the bill, marking the conclusion of the fiscal 2024 appropriations process in the House!