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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Veterans

Feb 19, 2026 - Summarizes recent research finding that multimodal, telehealth delivered mind-body and exercise interventions are effective for rural veterans experiencing chronic pain. Notes that the program could be easily accessed by rural veterans due to the use of nonclinicians. Describes planned modifications for future programs iterations.
Source: NIH Pragmatic Trials Collaboratory
Feb 5, 2026 - Describes proposed bipartisan legislation permanently authorizing telescreening mammography services in rural and other areas for veterans.
Source: The Office of Representative Glenn Thompson
Jan 29, 2026 - Notice from the Department of Defense (DOD) Director of the Defense Health Agency (DHA) announcing adjustments to the certified labor doulas (CLDs) performing childbirth support services under the Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration (CBSD). This notice announces changes to the reimbursement methodology for childbirth support services intended to stabilize reimbursement. DHA is modifying reimbursement for childbirth support services so that the rate approved for March 1, 2025, will be considered a "baseline." The DHA Director will approve a new baseline if it is found that TRICARE reimbursement is not keeping pace with Medicaid reimbursement. The new reimbursement methodology will be effective for rates beginning March 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 25, 2026 - Highlights the Mobile Prosthetic and Orthotic Care (MoPOC) truck, a mobile unit from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with support from the VA's Office of Rural Health bringing prosthetic and orthotic care to rural veterans in Texas.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Jan 12, 2026 - Notice from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) implementing section 120 of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, which allows the VA to increase the expenditure cap for non-institutional care alternatives for eligible veterans. VA will now pay up to 100% of the nursing home rate in a fiscal year for all eligible veterans who need non-institutional care to improve continuity of care and patient outcomes. This guidance is effective September 11, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 10, 2026 - Highlights a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs mobile mammography unit in rural Tennessee. Describes the benefits for rural veterans in improving access to both preventive and follow-up care.
Source: VA News
Jan 6, 2026 - 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 2027, the VA may award a renewal SSVF grant to existing grantees who received a grant award during FY 2026 to expand services to rural communities. Applications are due by February 19, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Related funding: Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program
Dec 22, 2025 - Describes the ways veteran homelessness can be hidden and notes the additional challenges facing rural veterans. Highlights U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs programs to support veterans experiencing housing instability including the Rural Housing Initiative.
Source: VA News