A Strategic Alliance to Tackle Veterans' Silent Health Crisis

LOS ANGELES, CA – June 10, 2026 – In a move that signals a significant shift in veteran healthcare, sleep solutions company Daybreak has forged a distribution partnership with Veterans Healthcare Supply Solutions (VHSS). The alliance is set to deploy a clinically proven, non-CPAP treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to veterans nationwide through the vast network of VA Healthcare facilities. This isn't merely a new product entering a new market; it's a meticulously engineered solution designed to dismantle long-standing barriers to care for a population disproportionately burdened by a silent, debilitating condition.

For years, the standard of care for OSA has been the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine—a device known for its clinical efficacy but notorious for its low patient adherence. This new partnership aims to introduce Daybreak’s FDA-cleared oral appliance therapy (OAT) as a formidable alternative, leveraging the logistical and contracting prowess of VHSS, a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), to ensure the therapy reaches those who need it most.

The Unseen Burden: Sleep Apnea in the Veteran Community

Obstructive sleep apnea is far more than disruptive snoring; it is a chronic condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, leading to severe health consequences like hypertension, heart disease, and cognitive impairment. Within the veteran community, this burden is exceptionally heavy. Studies reveal that OSA is more than twice as prevalent among veterans compared to the general population, with some estimates suggesting nearly 60% of post-9/11 veterans are at high risk.

Despite this prevalence, the condition remains tragically undertreated. The primary obstacle has been the CPAP machine itself. While effective, adherence rates are notoriously low, with some studies showing up to 50% of users abandoning the therapy within the first week. For veterans, the challenges can be compounded by service-related conditions like PTSD, which can make the claustrophobia and anxiety associated with wearing a mask unbearable. The result is a significant treatment gap, leaving millions of veterans to suffer the long-term effects of untreated OSA.

This partnership directly confronts that gap. "Millions of veterans suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, and too many of them aren't getting the treatment they deserve," said Wesley Lones, Founder & CEO of Daybreak. "This partnership with VHSS is a critical step toward changing that. By working together, we can bring a clinically effective, patient-preferred alternative to CPAP directly into the VA system and meet veterans where they are."

A New Blueprint for Treatment: The Rise of Oral Appliance Therapy

The core of this initiative is Daybreak's mandibular advancement device (MAD), a form of oral appliance therapy. This custom-fit, discreet oral appliance is worn only during sleep and works by gently advancing the lower jaw to keep the airway open. It is a quiet, portable, and far less intrusive alternative to the hoses and masks of a CPAP machine.

Daybreak's model is built on accessibility, combining at-home sleep testing with a fully virtual, telehealth-guided care pathway. This approach was recently validated in a January 2026 peer-reviewed study affiliated with Cedars-Sinai, which found Daybreak's model produced significant reductions in the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) and achieved high rates of treatment success for patients with mild to moderate OSA. This evidence of a viable, dentist-led virtual care model is a cornerstone of the program's potential for scalability within the VA system.

The timing of this partnership is also strategically astute. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense are poised to release updated clinical practice guidelines in 2025 that are expected to officially recognize MADs as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate OSA. This policy shift elevates OAT from a secondary option for CPAP-intolerant patients to a primary, evidence-backed choice, creating a powerful tailwind for its adoption across federal healthcare facilities.

The Engine of Access: How Federal Contracting Unlocks Innovation

An innovative medical device is only as effective as its distribution network. This is where the strategic brilliance of the partnership becomes clear. By teaming with Veterans Healthcare Supply Solutions, Daybreak has secured a powerful engine for navigating the complex terrain of federal procurement. VHSS is not just a distributor; as a certified SDVOSB, it is a mission-driven organization with over a decade of experience and deep-rooted infrastructure within the VA and DoD supply chains.

Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, VHSS operates a 30,000-square-foot distribution center and holds a formidable portfolio of federal contracts, including Federal Supply Schedule (FSS), GSA, and DAPA agreements. With over $730 million in federal contracts and existing relationships with all VA and DoD Prime Vendors, VHSS possesses the proven capability to manage everything from warehousing and EDI transactions to direct-to-patient delivery logistics on a national scale.

"VHSS's mission is to serve Veteran and Active-Duty Warfighter Patients by delivering the highest quality clinical solutions," stated Ryan Hurt, CEO of VHSS. "Daybreak's oral appliance therapy program is a strong addition to that mission. This partnership gives the providers of the Veterans Healthcare Administration a practical, proven pathway to address it."

A Resilient Model for a Persistent Problem

Starting June 22, 2026, Daybreak's OAT program will become available to VA, Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs), DoD, and Indian Healthcare Services facilities. The collaboration represents a powerful model of resilience and value creation. It pairs a disruptive, patient-centric technology with a robust, established federal logistics network, creating a complete system designed for durable impact.

This synergy addresses the problem from both ends: Daybreak solves the patient adherence problem with a more comfortable and accessible therapy, while VHSS solves the institutional access problem with its unparalleled procurement and distribution expertise. This end-to-end solution is further supported by broader legislative tailwinds like the PACT Act and MISSION Act, which have expanded veterans' ability to access care through community providers and innovative channels.

By looking beneath the surface of a simple distribution agreement, we see the mechanics of a winning strategy. It is a story of how a young, innovative company can achieve scale and impact by aligning with a partner whose strength lies in navigating established, complex systems. For the millions of veterans struggling with sleep apnea, this partnership represents more than just a new treatment option; it represents a long-overdue breath of fresh air.