The Department of Veterans Affairs' medical centers, outpatient clinics, and Vet Centers can remain open and operate normally during a lapse in federal appropriations if those operations are covered by advanced appropriations from Congress.
high
policy
Advanced appropriations are funding set in prior legislation that can allow certain federal programs to continue operating when current-year appropriations lapse.
Programs and services that rely on annual (current-year) appropriations can be suspended during a federal government shutdown, potentially resulting in employee furloughs and temporary unavailability of services such as hotlines, regional benefits office public access, transition briefings, and case management.
high
procedural
Services funded only through annual appropriations typically cease when funding lapses, while those funded by advanced appropriations continue.
VA national cemeteries can continue to conduct burials during a lapse in appropriations even if related activities such as grounds maintenance and placement of permanent headstones are suspended.
high
policy
Burial operations may be prioritized to continue despite other cemetery services being reduced during funding lapses.