Department of Veterans Affairs Eliminates Family Care Backlog
Last week, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it completely eliminated the backlog of Civilian and Medical Program of the Department of Veteran Affairs (CHAMPVA) application. This is a major VA program that provides healthcare coverage to over 900,000 qualifying Veteran spouses, dependents, survivors, and caregivers.
For North Carolina, the VA has processed 8,474 CHAMPVA applications since January 2025, including some that had been backlogged since November 1, 2024. North Carolina is home to over 600,000 veterans who make up 8% of the total population, which means that North Carolina has one of the highest veteran populations of any state.
“Veterans around the country knew it was taking far too long to process CHAMPVA applications, and that meant delayed coverage for their loved ones,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “We listened, and now the application backlog that caused so many unnecessary delays has been wiped out.”
nding the CHAMPVA backlog is just one of several ways the Trump Administration is making VA run better:
VA has opened 20 new health care clinics across the nation since Jan. 20.
Average VA health care wait times rose in five of six main areas under Biden. These wait times are now improving in four of six areas under President Trump.
The backlog of Veterans waiting for VA benefits increased 24% under Biden and is down 57% under the second Trump Administration.
VA is spending an additional $800 million on infrastructure improvements to ensure department facilities provide safe and effective patient care.
The additional funds will come from savings gleaned from various VA reform efforts.
Since Jan. 20, VA has offered Veterans nearly 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 has made it easier and faster for VA-enrolled Veterans to access care from non-VA providers at the department’s expense.
VA has implemented major reforms to make it easier for survivors to get benefits, after serious problems during the Biden Administration.
VA is processing record numbers of disability claims — having reached an all-time fiscal-year high, Aug. 8, of 2.52 million ratings claims for FY25.
The president’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request would add billions to VA’s budget.
