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Rural Health
News by Topic: Veterans

Apr 17, 2026 - Notice from the Department of Defense (DOD) making corrections to the April 10, 2026, notice announcing the extension of the Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration (CBSD) through December 31, 2031. This correction is effective April 17, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 16, 2026 - The Birmingham, Alabama VA Health Care System is starting a mobile prosthetics program, which will make it easier for rural veterans to get specialty care. The unit will visit 3 community outpatient clinics, and can provide on-site evaluations, adjustments, and fittings.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Apr 10, 2026 - Notice from the Department of Defense (DOD) announcing the extension of the Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration (CBSD) by five years, through December 31, 2031. The purpose of CBSD is to evaluate the cost, quality of care, and impact of covering the services of doulas and lactation consultants or counselors not otherwise authorized by TRICARE on maternal and fetal outcomes. This notice also seeks comments on CBSD and its potential integration into the TRICARE Basic benefit. Comments are due by May 11, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 6, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announcing that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) intends to reestablish the Veterans Rural Health Advisory Committee for a 2-year period. The committee advises the Secretary of VA on rural healthcare issues affecting Veterans, examines programs and policies that impact the delivery of VA rural health care to Veterans, and discusses ways to improve and enhance VA access to rural healthcare services for Veterans.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 3, 2026 - Announces a new partnership between the Atlanta VA Healthcare System (VAHCS) and the Morehouse School of Medicine's Graduate Education in Nursing (GENIE) program. The partnership will enhance nursing education for veterans with a focus on female veterans and improving access to rural and other underserved communities in Georgia.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Mar 18, 2026 - Describes proposed legislation aiming to increase access to healthcare for veterans in rural areas. A 5-year pilot program would create a preauthorization pathway for outpatient services for veterans within 35 miles of a Critical Access Hospital.
Source: Office of Senator Kevin Cramer
Mar 16, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announcing that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) intends to renew its Veterans Rural Health Advisory Committee for a 2-year period. The committee advises the Secretary of VA on rural health care issues affecting Veterans, examines programs and policies that impact the delivery of VA rural health care to Veterans, discusses ways to improve and enhance VA access to rural health care services for Veterans.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 9, 2026 - Highlights the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Cardiology Access and Resources for Delivery of Integrated Outreach to VETerans Network (CARDIO-VET), a hub-and-spoke model of cardiology care. Describes how the program helped a rural veteran in coordination with the VA Office of Rural Health.
Source: VA Wichita Health Care Stories
Mar 2, 2026 - The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) will hold a virtual public meeting on March 23, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Eastern. Agenda items include updates from VA leadership, the Executive Director of the VA Office of Rural Health, and the Committee Chair, as well as presentations by subject matter experts on general rural healthcare access.
Source: Federal Register