Rural Health
News by Topic: Veterans
Mar 27, 2020 - The U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that their COVID-19 Response Plan is now available to the public. Describes how the VA has shifted some outpatient care to telehealth and implemented two zones in all of their facilities – one for COVID-19 patients and another for all other care.
Source: U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
Mar 19, 2020 - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is requesting methods papers and research findings focused on the data systems, preliminary analyses, policy, and program evaluation regarding VA's expansion of its Community Care programs. All submissions are due by June 1, 2020.
Source: U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
Mar 18, 2020 - Announcement from the Department of Veterans Affairs that the April 15-16, 2020 meeting of the Veterans Rural Health Advisory Committee has been canceled.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 2, 2020 - Highlights the Rural Veterans TeleRehabilitation Initiative (RVTRI) program which gives rural veterans living with traumatic brain injuries access to rehabilitation treatments through art, music, dance, and creative writing. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) also launched The Creative Forces: National Endowment of the Arts Military Arts Healing Network which expanded the therapy program across the country.
Source: Xtelligent Healthcare Media
Feb 28, 2020 - A "Virtual Living Room (VLR)" opened in rural Vermont to provide veterans access to healthcare without having to travel far distances in rough terrain. The VLR is located at the local American Legion Post and includes a sound-proof room with fiber-optic internet service.
Source: U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
Feb 21, 2020 - Highlights the U.S. Department of Affairs' (VA) Technology-based Eye Care Services (TECS) program that provides remote eye screening services to veterans in rural areas. Established in 2015, the program now serves 22 VA facilities.
Source: U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
VA: Veterans' Rural Health Advisory Committee, Notice of Meeting
Federal Register
Feb 20, 2020 - Announces a public meeting of the Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans' Rural Health Advisory Committee on April 15-16, 2020. Agenda items include updates from VA leadership, the Director of the Office of Rural Health, and Committee Chairman, as well as presentations on general healthcare access.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 10, 2020 - Three medical students envisioned a shadowing program for aspiring healthcare workers at Veterans Affairs medical centers and pitched their idea to Capitol Hill, creating the Veterans-Specific Education for Tomorrow's Health Professionals (VET HP) Act. Describes how VA facilities are currently understaffed and bills like the VET HP Act help to fill the gaps.
Source: CNBC
Feb 9, 2020 - Highlights a VA program in North Dakota that is focused on training community clergy to support rural veterans' mental health. The program has four modules that help trainees understand and address military culture, family life, mental healthcare, and networking.
Source: U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs