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Rural Health
News by Topic: Veterans

Aug 5, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the re-establishment of a matching program between CMS and the Department of War titled "Verification of Eligibility for Minimum Essential Coverage Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act through a Department of War Health Benefits Plan." CMS will share data from the Department of War with state administering entities (AEs) to verify if an applicant is enrolled in Minimum Essential Coverage in a Veterans Health Administration Health Care Program. This information from the Department of War will be used to assist CMS and AEs in determining if an individual is eligible for financial assistance. Comments are due by September 4, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 5, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) seeking comments on forms related to the VA Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP) and Visual Impairment and Orientation and Mobility Professionals Scholarship Program (VIOMPSP). The information collected is used for VA to determine an applicant's eligibility to receive a scholarship award and compliance with program requirements. Comments are due by September 4, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 4, 2026 - Summarizes recent research finding that the first 5 years of the Veterans Affairs Clinical Resource Hubs program saw increased use of telemental health services among rural veterans. The study also found a shift in care delivery from clinic-based video visits to video visits in patients' homes.
Source: VA Health Systems Research News
Jul 29, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announcing its implementation plan for section 403 of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, which authorizes VA to provide food, shelter, transportation, and other items to homeless Veterans when necessary. This notice describes covered Veterans that may receive assistance, the types of assistance that VA may provide, and how VA will determine whether assistance is necessary. This notice is effective July 29, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 21, 2026 - The Veterans Administration's (VA) Medical Care and VA Health Systems Research (HSR) have issued a call for papers for a special issue on Advancing Age-Friendly Health Systems for Veterans. Articles should focus on research, implementation, or clinical innovation as well as the entirety of the 4Ms (Mobility, Mentation, Medications, and What Matters). Rurality is a topic area of interest. Abstracts are optional and may be submitted by September 15, 2026. Manuscripts may be submitted until December 15, 2026.
Source: VA Health Systems Research Research News
Jul 21, 2026 - Describes a Veterans Administration (VA) centralized process for a community care model of lung cancer screening and the impact on the timeliness of care, care fragmentation, and follow-up consultations for rural veterans. Notes that the successful pilot has led to the start of a national roll-out of the program.
Source: VA Health Systems Research Impacts
Jul 15, 2026 - Highlights the work of a Milwaukee Veteran's Administration employee to address access to vision services for veterans, particularly those in rural areas. Notes that national statistics show low-vision service utilization is low.
Source: VA Milwaukee Health Care Stories
Jul 10, 2026 - Notice of final rule from the Department of Veterans Affairs revising its medical regulations to add a new method of notification for emergency treatment furnished by community providers to be authorized under the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP). Among other things, this rule amends the requirement that a notice of emergency treatment authorized under the VCCP be provided to the appropriate VA official at the nearest VA facility within 72 hours of treatment by adding that notice can also be provided through the centralized notification process. This rule is effective August 10, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 8, 2026 - Describes a Veterans Administration (VA) pilot program in New Mexico, Arizona, and Wyoming to make healthcare more accessible for rural veterans by including rural and underserved VA and Indian Health Service locations in VA residencies. Discusses how the program offers innovative service delivery models, builds cultural awareness, and increases the VA and IHS workforce.
Source: VA News
Jul 7, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the re-establishment of a matching program between CMS and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) titled "Verification of Eligibility for Minimum Essential Coverage Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act." CMS will share data with the VA to verify if an applicant is enrolled in Minimum Essential Coverage in a Veterans Health Administration Health Care Program. This information from the VA will be used to assist CMS in determining if an individual is eligible for Insurance Affordability Programs. Comments are due by August 6, 2026.
Source: Federal Register