Rural Veterans and Access to Healthcare – News
News stories from the past 60 days.
Apr 26, 2026 - The Veterans Affairs' TelePharmacy program, available in selected areas across the country, gives remote access to veterans who live in areas without a pharmacy specialist. The My HealtheVet app can be used to verify appointment times, refill prescriptions, and send secure messages to patients' VA care teams.
Source: VA News
Apr 16, 2026 - The Birmingham, Alabama VA Health Care System is starting a mobile prosthetics program, which will make it easier for rural veterans to get specialty care. The unit will visit 3 community outpatient clinics, and can provide on-site evaluations, adjustments, and fittings.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA: Veterans Rural Health Advisory Committee
Federal Register
Apr 6, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announcing that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) intends to reestablish the Veterans Rural Health Advisory Committee for a 2-year period. The committee advises the Secretary of VA on rural healthcare issues affecting Veterans, examines programs and policies that impact the delivery of VA rural health care to Veterans, and discusses ways to improve and enhance VA access to rural healthcare services for Veterans.
Source: Federal Register
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