VA must clear its PACT Act claims backlog and open new facilities to serve 739,000 new enrollees

The VA must complete processing the backlog of PACT Act retroactive claims filed before 2026 by June 30, 2027. The VA was authorized to open additional community care sites and medical facilities to handle the PACT Act enrollment surge — 739,000+ new enrollees since 2022. The VA's annual budget impact from PACT Act obligations exceeds $20B by 2027.