As the government shutdown enters its second week, concerns are mounting over its impact on health care providers who serve military families.
Doctors and clinics in San Antonio, a city often referred to as “Military City USA,” report that they are no longer receiving compensation for services provided to active-duty service members, retirees, and their dependents through the TRICARE program, Breitbart News reports.
Several providers say they are beginning to feel significant financial strain as payments stall. The funding lapse stems from the ongoing budget impasse in Congress, where Senate Democrats have prioritized extending Affordable Care Act subsidies as part of any reopening agreement.
Critics warn that the standoff could jeopardize access to medical care for military families nationwide, with the effects especially visible in San Antonio due to its large concentration of Department of Defense facilities and personnel, the outlet noted further.
San Antonio, home to Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) — the largest joint base operation in the U.S. military — is among the areas most affected by the ongoing shutdown. The installation includes Lackland Air Force Base, Randolph Air Force Base, Fort Sam Houston, and Camp Bullis, all of which support tens of thousands of soldiers, airmen, and their families who depend on TRICARE to cover their medical expenses.
The funding lapse has left civilian health care providers who treat military personnel and their dependents without reimbursement, creating growing financial strain. Military retirees, who also rely on TRICARE for their health care needs, are facing similar uncertainty, Breitbart noted.
According to a recent News4SA report, one San Antonio health care provider that serves families with children who have developmental disorders said the clinic is already struggling to remain open due to the lack of payments during the shutdown.
Dr. Britt Sims, Executive Director of Integrated Behavior Solutions, told News4SA, “We can last a couple of weeks on what I have personally, but now, I’m done. I’m spent. If by some miracle, something happens, then I don’t know. We’ll keep fighting somehow.”
Another healthcare provider that serves retirees, soldiers, and their families is facing similar pressures as the shutdown continues. Dr. Gia Koehne, who owns a small practice called the Blossom Center for Children in San Antonio, told the local outlet, “Because of all of this, everything is completely stalled and halted.”
“We have a lot of families that need services, and we just don’t have the capacity to be able to do that, because we’re not getting paid,” Koehne explained, noting that the practice provides care for children diagnosed with autism.
TRICARE is the government-sponsored health insurance program for active, reserve, and retired military members and their families. On October 1, the program warned of potential payment delays due to the government shutdown.
“During the current lapse in government appropriations, you may continue to get care or attend currently scheduled appointments with your civilian providers. Your usual out-of-pocket costs will apply,” the healthcare organization said in a memo to members.
“You may also continue to fill prescriptions at military pharmacies, retail network pharmacies, and home delivery,” it added.
“However, TRICARE may not be able to process or pay medical claims received on or after October 1, 2025, until funding is restored. The Defense Health Agency is also working with our TRICARE contractors to also communicate with healthcare providers on potential delays in payment,” the statement continued.
“We understand this may cause concern and inconvenience, and we sincerely regret the disruption. We remain committed to resuming full operation as quickly as possible once appropriations are enacted,” the statement concluded.
The Trump administration announced Saturday that it will ensure military service members continue to receive pay during the ongoing federal government shutdown.
According to officials, the administration plans to tap unused funds originally allocated for research and development to cover payroll for troops until government funding is restored.
Vice President JD Vance stated unequivocally in an interview with conservative podcaster Benny Johnson that aired Friday that Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) committed fraud to enter the United States and that she is a central figure in the mounting fraud among her Somali community that is being investigated and prosecuted in Minneapolis.
“Today, for the first time, we got 100% on the record confirmation that Rep. Ilhan Omar committed immigration fraud,” Johnson wrote on the X platform that included a clip from an interview with Rob Schmitt, a Newsmax TV host. “Lying on your immigration forms is an immediate denaturalization. Vice President JD Vance says DHS is exploring enforcement. Ilhan needs to be deported.”
Vance told Johnson: “Ilhan Omar definitely committed immigration fraud against the United States of America. … She has been at the center of a lot of the worst fraudsters in the Somali community.”
President Trump appointed Vance to be the first-ever ‘fraud czar,’ and in the short time he’s been at the job, he has uncovered tens of billions in fraudulent payments to ghost companies and individuals in California and Minnesota, both Democrat enclaves.
Meanwhile, earlier this month, Florida Republican Rep. Randy Fine was reportedly considering forcing a House vote to expel Omar, saying the potential action would be based on allegations that Omar married her brother as well as what he described as her “general embrace of Muslim terror.”
“I don’t think she should be a citizen, let alone a member of Congress,” Fine said. “I won’t send out fundraising emails calling for her expulsion. If I’m going to do that, you will see me bring the piece of paper. And I am actively considering that.”
The comments followed a fundraising email from Omar’s campaign calling for Fine to be expelled from Congress over past remarks in which he said Muslims should be “destroyed.”
Expelling a member of the House requires a two-thirds vote. With Republicans holding only a narrow majority, at least 85 Democrats would need to support the effort for it to succeed.
Omar has also faced renewed scrutiny in recent weeks related to fraud tied to the Somali community in her Minnesota district. The controversy centers on the Minnesota “Feeding Our Future” program, which authorities have linked to approximately $250 million in fraud connected to the MEALS Act passed during COVID lockdowns.
Omar supported the legislation and has defended her role. “Do you regret pushing for that bill, the MEALS Act? Do you think it led to the fraud?” Fox News reporter Nicholas Ballasy asked Omar earlier this month. “Absolutely not, it did help feed kids,” Omar replied.
Trump has also sharply criticized Omar in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, Trump referred to the congresswoman as “garbage” and raised broader concerns about large scale migration from Third World nations such as Somalia, according to NBC News.
“I don’t want them in our country. I’ll be honest with you, okay,” Trump said. “Somebody will say, ‘Oh, that’s not politically correct.’ I don’t care,” he added.
“I don’t want them in our country. Their country is no good for a reason,” Trump continued.
“Her friends are garbage,” Trump added, referring to Omar. “These aren’t people that work. These aren’t people that say, ‘Let’s go, come on, let’s make this place great.’ These are people that do nothing but complain.”
Republican challenger John Nagel is accusing Omar of being closely linked to the $1 billion Feeding Our Future fraud scandal, which is based in her Minneapolis congressional district. Nagel, who is running against Omar in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, claims that legislation introduced by Omar contributed to the circumstances that allowed the fraud to take place.
“If you look at where the fraud is, it’s primarily her district, the district that I’m running in against her,” he said. “And it’s really odd to think that all the fraud just happened in a particular area.”