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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Veterans and Access to Healthcare – News

News stories from the past 60 days.

Jul 1, 2025 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) seeking comments on a proposed information collection titled "Suicide Prevention 2.0 Program—Community Opinion Survey." The information collected will be used to measure baseline data on the knowledge and attitudes of adult U.S. citizens living in specified communities about Veterans, Veteran suicide, and resources available to Veterans to reduce suicide, prior to the implementation of suicide prevention programs; measure follow-up data in the same communities to assess whether knowledge and attitudes have changed over time; and determine whether the programs and policies implemented by a community resulted in positive change in knowledge and attitudes. Comments are due by September 2, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 26, 2025 - The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) will hold a virtual public meeting on July 22, 2025, 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
Jun 11, 2025 - Notice of final rule from the Department of Veterans Affairs removing its regulations governing the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB). The VA will rely on Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulations that govern the NPDB, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between VA and HHS, and VA policy and procedures. This notice also summarizes and responds to public comments on the April 3, 2023, proposed rule. This rule is effective July 11, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
May 15, 2025 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announces the availability of funds for suicide prevention grants under the Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP). The purpose of the SSG Fox SPGP is to reduce veteran suicide by expanding suicide prevention programs for veterans through grants to entities that will provide or coordinate the provision of suicide prevention services to eligible individuals and their families. This notice replaces the May 8, 2025, notice. This is a 1-year award with the option to renew for an additional year, pending availability of funds and grantee performance. Applications are due by July 18, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Related funding: Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grants
May 13, 2025 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment as members of the Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs to represent the following Indian Health Service (IHS) areas: Great Plains, Portland, Phoenix, Oklahoma City, Alaska, Albuquerque, Native Hawaiian, Urban Indian, and Member At-Large. The Committee provides 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. Nominations are due by July 18, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
May 9, 2025 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment as members of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans. The Committee provides advice and guidance to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on all matters relating to "minority group member" veterans. Nominations are due by June 15, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
May 8, 2025 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announces the availability of funds for suicide prevention grants under the Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP). The purpose of the SSG Fox SPGP is to reduce veteran suicide by expanding suicide prevention programs for veterans through grants to entities that will provide or coordinate the provision of suicide prevention services to eligible individuals and their families. This is a 1-year award with the option to renew for an additional year, pending availability of funds and grantee performance. Applications are due by July 11, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Last Updated: 7/1/2025