Are we doing enough for post-9/11 veterans in 2026?

The post-9/11 veteran cohort — roughly 3.7 million people who served after 2001 — has distinct needs from earlier generations. They saw more frequent deployments, more exposure to IEDs, and more time in Iraq and Afghanistan. They came home to an institution (the VA) that was notoriously broken in the mid-2000s and has improved since, but not enough. The current state: VA health care has a 4.8-star rating and wait times have improved substantially. But mental health care for PTSD and TBI remains uneven. The veteran suicide rate — 17.6 per day — remains a national shame. Employment programs exist but are fragmented. Housing assistance exists but has gaps. Veterans advocates argue the problem is coordination, not funding: too many programs with overlapping mandates and bureaucratic barriers. Others argue it's political will — that we honor veterans in speeches but underfund the practical support they need. What would "enough" actually look like in 2026? What's the gap between current support and what veterans who served post-9/11 actually need? And what's the most efficient use of additional resources?