Rural Veterans and Access to Healthcare – News
News stories from the past 60 days.
Mar 18, 2026 - Describes proposed legislation aiming to increase access to healthcare for veterans in rural areas. A 5-year pilot program would create a preauthorization pathway for outpatient services for veterans within 35 miles of a Critical Access Hospital.
Source: Office of Senator Kevin Cramer
VA: Veterans Rural Health Advisory Committee
Federal Register
Mar 16, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announcing that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) intends to renew its Veterans Rural Health Advisory Committee for a 2-year period. The committee advises the Secretary of VA on rural health care issues affecting Veterans, examines programs and policies that impact the delivery of VA rural health care to Veterans, discusses ways to improve and enhance VA access to rural health care services for Veterans.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 9, 2026 - Highlights the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Cardiology Access and Resources for Delivery of Integrated Outreach to VETerans Network (CARDIO-VET), a hub-and-spoke model of cardiology care. Describes how the program helped a rural veteran in coordination with the VA Office of Rural Health.
Source: VA Wichita Health Care Stories
VA: Veterans Rural Health Advisory Committee, Notice of Meeting
Federal Register
Mar 2, 2026 - The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) will hold a virtual public meeting on March 23, 2026, 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
Feb 25, 2026 - Highlights the work of the Western North Carolina VA Health Care System in including rural veterans in research studies and developing new treatments. Describes the benefits of research inclusion for both the participating veterans and research generally.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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 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
Last Updated: 3/19/2026