Government Shutdown Threatens Healthcare Access for Military Families in San Antonio

As the federal government shutdown stretches into its second week, serious concerns are emerging over its impact on healthcare services for military families—particularly in San Antonio, Texas, a city often dubbed “Military City USA.”

Local clinics and doctors who provide care through the TRICARE system—a military health insurance program for active-duty personnel, retirees, and their dependents—report they are no longer receiving payments for their services. The payment halt is directly tied to the federal budget impasse in Congress, which has stalled funding for multiple government programs.

The budget deadlock centers around disagreements between lawmakers, with Senate Democrats pushing for continued Affordable Care Act subsidies to be included in any funding deal to reopen the government. Meanwhile, the lack of consensus has left essential services, like military healthcare, in limbo.

Nowhere is the situation more pressing than in San Antonio, which is home to Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA), the largest joint military installation in the country. JBSA includes Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base, Randolph Air Force Base, and Camp Bullis—collectively supporting tens of thousands of military service members, veterans, and their families.

Local healthcare providers are raising the alarm about the mounting financial strain they face as they continue to treat military patients without compensation. Many worry that if the shutdown continues, they will have no choice but to reduce services or close entirely.

Dr. Britt Sims, Executive Director of Integrated Behavior Solutions in San Antonio, which serves military families with children who have developmental needs, says her clinic is already on the brink.

“We’ve been floating on what I could personally contribute,” Dr. Sims told a local news outlet. “But now, I’m completely tapped out. We’ll try to keep going, but it’s becoming impossible without payments.”

Another local provider, Dr. Gia Koehne, who runs the Blossom Center for Children, says the shutdown has brought operations to a standstill. Her clinic primarily serves military children with autism, offering crucial therapy and support.

“Everything has just come to a halt,” Dr. Koehne said. “We have families depending on these services, and we’re at a point where we just can’t deliver care because there’s no money coming in.”

The uncertainty has put military families in a difficult position, especially those who rely heavily on civilian care providers due to long wait times or limited availability at on-base facilities.

TRICARE, the Department of Defense’s health insurance program, issued a statement warning of possible delays in processing and paying claims starting October 1, 2025. While patients are still encouraged to attend scheduled appointments, civilian providers may not be reimbursed until the government is fully funded again.

In a memo to beneficiaries, TRICARE said, “You may continue to get care or attend currently scheduled appointments with your civilian providers. Your usual out-of-pocket costs will apply. However, TRICARE may not be able to process or pay medical claims received on or after October 1, 2025, until funding is restored.”

Military pharmacies, retail network pharmacies, and the home delivery prescription service will remain operational for now, TRICARE confirmed. But the organization acknowledged the disruption and expressed regret, promising to resume full operations once the shutdown ends.

For many providers, though, the damage is already being done.

San Antonio’s unique role as a hub for military healthcare makes it especially vulnerable during federal funding lapses. JBSA’s facilities support a vast ecosystem of civilian healthcare professionals who fill gaps in services not always available on base.

“This is a military city, and our practices are built around serving military families,” Dr. Koehne explained. “Without TRICARE payments, we can’t function. It’s that simple.”

While the Trump administration has pledged to ensure military personnel continue to receive their pay during the shutdown—by reallocating unused research and development funds—there is no similar safety net in place for healthcare providers.

Critics warn that if the shutdown continues, access to essential care for service members, veterans, and their families could be severely disrupted. Clinics that offer therapy for children, general health services, and specialty care are all at risk.

Unless Congress can reach a funding agreement soon, the very system designed to care for the nation’s military community may face deeper setbacks—leaving providers under financial duress and military families without critical care.