The MISSION Act, signed into law in 2018 during President Trump’s first term, was a transformative step forward for Veterans’ healthcare. It recognized a simple but critical truth: not every Veteran can or should be forced to rely solely on the VA for care. The Act created the Community Care Network (CCN), allowing Veterans timely access to high-quality treatment—including behavioral health and substance use services—outside the VA system when necessary.

For programs like VetCare IOP, the MISSION Act has been a lifeline. Many of the Veterans we serve are unable to get prompt, effective care through the VA due to long waitlists, limited services, or geographic barriers. CCN partnerships have enabled us to step in where the VA system has struggled, providing urgent, life-saving care to Veterans in need.

However, over the last few years, the promise of the MISSION Act has eroded. Bureaucratic delays, narrow interpretations of eligibility, and internal resistance within the VA have made it harder—not easier—for Veterans to access community-based care. Ironically, this shift began during the very administration that passed the Act, as leadership changes within the VA pulled back from the law’s original intent.

But today, with the return of President Trump and the appointment of new VA leadership, there is reason for renewed hope. His administration’s original vision for the MISSION Act prioritized Veterans’ access and choice. If the second Trump administration re-centers on that mission, we may finally see the full implementation of the Act as intended—empowering Veterans to choose care that works for them, without being trapped in a failing system.

At VetCare IOP, we believe the MISSION Act is not just a policy—it’s a promise. A promise that Veterans will not be left waiting, suffering, or stuck. We call on current VA leadership to honor that promise and fully support the use of the Community Care Network as a core part of the VA’s commitment to those who served.

Veterans earned this. We must fight to ensure they receive it.