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Rural Veterans and Access to Healthcare – News

News stories from the past 60 days.

Jun 18, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposing amending its regulations governing the VA Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP). Changes include implementing the mandates of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which expands the number of scholarships available to those who are pursuing degrees or training in mental health programs. This rule is effective July 18, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 11, 2024 - Highlights efforts by the Northern Arizona VA to reach and provide care for veterans in rural northern Arizona and the Navajo Nation. Describes the deployment of a mobile medical clinic at recent community events as a promising strategy for making healthcare services more accessible to rural veterans.
Source: Arizona Daily Sun
Jun 11, 2024 - Describes the use of virtual reality tools in telehealth to accommodate rural veterans, among others, in pain management.
Source: VA News
May 30, 2024 - Notice from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announcing its intent to implement Joseph Maxwell Cleland and Robert Joseph Dole Memorial Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2022, which prohibits the collection of copayments for the first three mental health care outpatient visits of a Veteran in a calendar year for which the Veteran would otherwise be required to pay a copayment. The copayment exemption for the first three outpatient mental health care visits includes appointments completed in VA clinics as well as those conducted by community care providers. The implementation of the copayment exemption will be applicable upon the publication of modifications to the VA regulations to comply with this law.
Source: Federal Register
May 24, 2024 - Notice of direct final rule from the Department of Defense Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (ASD(HA)) removing certain temporary regulation changes put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that were automatically terminated by the end of the President's national emergency and the associated Health and Human Services (HHS) Public Health Emergency (PHE). Temporary provisions being removed by this rule include a waiver of the requirement for a three-day prior hospital stay before admission to a skilled nursing facility; waiver of certain acute care hospital requirements for temporary hospitals and freestanding ambulatory surgery centers; a waiver of certain interstate and international licensing requirements for individual professional providers; and more. If adverse comments are received, DOD will withdraw this rule and issue a proposed rule. Otherwise, this rule is effective on August 2, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
May 24, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is requesting information to assist in the development of a national standard of practice for VA medical technologists. Outlines the proposed standard of practice, including education, state licensure, and tasks and duties the profession will be able to perform within the scope of their VA employment, among other things. Comments are due by July 23, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
May 23, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amending its medical regulations to conform with section 101 of the Joseph Maxwell Cleland and Robert Joseph Dole Memorial Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement (Cleland-Dole) Act of 2022, which expanded the provision of hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to World War II (WWII) veterans. The VA is also amending its medical regulations to remove existing references to Mexican border period and World War I (WWI) veterans since there are no longer any living veterans of these eras. This rule is effective May 23, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
May 20, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announces the renewal of charters for several advisory committees, including the Veterans' Rural Health Advisory Committee. The charters are renewed for a two-year period, beginning on the dates listed in this notice.
Source: Federal Register
May 17, 2024 - Announces a new research site in Montana for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The site will include research on access to healthcare and high suicide rates for rural veterans.
Source: Daily Montanan
May 14, 2024 - Describes the Home Telehealth Program at South Texas Veterans Health Care System, which works to provide care to veterans living in rural parts of the area.
Source: VA News
Last Updated: 6/18/2024