https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/topics/veterans Rural Health & Human Services News by Topic: Veterans - Rural Health Information Hub en Copyright 2026 Rural Health Information Hub https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/10/2026-13971/expansion-of-va-process-for-72-hour-notification-of-emergency-treatment 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38748 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://news.va.gov/148097/bringing-care-closer-home-rural-veterans/ 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38743 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/07/2026-13671/privacy-act-of-1974-matching-program 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38732 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/06/2026-13572/privacy-act-of-1974-matching-program Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on a new matching program between CMS and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) titled "Verification of Eligibility for Insurance Affordability Programs Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act." This matching program will provide CMS with information for determining individuals' eligibility for Insurance Affordability Programs (IAPs). Comments are due by August 5, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38725 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/06/2026-13515/tricare-demonstration-project-for-tricare-ambulance-add-on-reimbursement-for-pre-hospital-blood Notice from the U.S. Department of Defense announcing a new demonstration project titled "TRICARE Demonstration Project for Pre-Hospital Blood Transfusion Ambulance Add-On Reimbursement," also called the "TRICARE PHBT Demonstration" or "PHBTD." This five-year demonstration will test the effectiveness of providing separate, unbundled add-on reimbursement to the TRICARE ambulance fee schedule for the cost of medically necessary blood products and professional services administered by authorized ambulance providers in a pre-hospital setting. The PHBTD will be effective January 1, 2027, and will conclude on December 31, 2031. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38726 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/11/2026-11752/grants-for-the-rural-veterans-coordination-pilot-rescission Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rescinding its regulations that govern the Rural Veterans Coordination Pilot (RVCP) grant program. The statutory authority for the RVCP grant program has expired. This rule is effective July 13, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38641 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.military.com/how-vas-telehealth-kidney-program-saved-the-lives-of-rural-veterans Describes a recent study finding that a U.S. Veterans Administration (VA) telenephrology program improved mortality rates and increased guideline-directed medication prescriptions for veterans at rural VA clinics receiving treatment for chronic kidney disease. The program uses a hub-and-spoke system to connect rural veterans with specialized care. Notes additional research finding veterans are satisfied with telenephrology care. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38624 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500