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Rural Veterans and Access to Healthcare – News

News stories from the past 60 days.

Feb 14, 2025 - Pre-publication notice from the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) delaying the January 17, 2025, final rules titled "Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine Encounter" and "Continuity of Care via Telemedicine for Veterans Affairs Patients" in accordance with the January 20, 2025, presidential memorandum titled "Regulatory Freeze Pending Review." These final rules will now be effective March 21, 2025. Comments regarding the delayed effective date are due by February 28, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 10, 2025 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will hold a virtual public meeting of the Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs from February 25-26, 2025. The Committee will provide advice and guidance to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on all matters relating to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Native American Veterans. The agenda will include, among other things, updates from the VA Office of Tribal Government Relations, VA Office of Tribal Health, VHA/Indian Health Service (IHS)/Tribal Health Program (THP)/Urban Indian Organization (UIO), a panel on Tribal and Urban Indian Health, and a veteran panel with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA).
Source: Federal Register
Jan 17, 2025 - Notice of final rule from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) authorizing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare practitioners acting within the scope of their VA employment to prescribe controlled substances via telemedicine to a VA patient with whom they have not conducted an in-person medical evaluation. VA practitioners can prescribe controlled substances to VA patients if another VA practitioner has previously conducted an in-person medical evaluation of the VA patient at any time, subject to certain conditions. This final rule is effective February 18, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 17, 2025 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will hold a hybrid public meeting of the Advisory Committee on U.S. Outlying Areas and Freely Associated States on February 11, 2025. The agenda will include the Committee's review of and vote to submit its final draft to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 3, 2025 - Describes new bipartisan legislation improving access to healthcare for veterans related to healthcare at home, benefits for surviving spouses, mental health support for family caregivers, mammography, and more. Includes a pilot program for assisted living services for rural and other veterans.
Source: Office of Senator Maggie Hassan
Jan 3, 2025 - Notice of proposed rule from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposing changes to its medical regulations to exempt Whole Health well-being services from the copayment requirements for inpatient hospital care and outpatient medical care. Comments are due by March 4, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 26, 2024 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announces the availability of funds for grants under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program. The purpose of the SSVF Program is to provide supportive services grants to private non-profit organizations and consumer cooperatives who will coordinate or provide supportive services to very low-income Veteran families reside in or are scheduled to transition to permanent housing. For fiscal year 2026, SSVF includes a new priority area to expand services to trial and rural communities and U.S. territories. Applications are due by March 3, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Related funding: Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program
Dec 17, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) seeking comments on the revision of an information collection titled "Survey of Veteran Enrollees' Health and Use of Health Care." Information collected is used to gain insights into factors influencing healthcare choices, enrollees' perceived health status and need for assistance, available insurance, self-reported utilization of VA services versus other healthcare services, barriers to seeking care, ability and comfort level with accessing virtual care, and more. Comments are due by January 16, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Last Updated: 2/14/2025