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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Veterans and Access to Healthcare – News

News stories from the past 60 days.

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
Dec 18, 2025 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will hold a public meeting of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans from January 14, 2026. The Committee will provide advice and guidance to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on all matters relating to minority veterans through review of reports and studies on compensation, healthcare, rehabilitation, outreach, and other benefits and services. The agenda will include updates from the Office of Health Equity, Veterans Benefits Administration, National Cemetery Administration, Veterans Experience Office, Office of Rural Health, and Office of Survivor Assistance.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 21, 2025 - Notice from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) withdrawing the January 3, 2025, proposed rule titled "Exempting Whole Health Well-Being Services From Copayment." This withdrawal is applicable on November 21, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Last Updated: 1/12/2026