News Releases
VA seeks feedback to guide new copayment waiver program for Veterans at risk for suicide - To encourage outpatient mental health care and reduce any potential barriers associated with seeking it, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is proposing to eliminate copayment requirements for outpatient mental health visits and reduce the copayments for medications dispensed to Veterans who are identified as high risk for suicide by a VA clinician. (1/5/22)
VA designates flexible funding to support homeless Veterans - WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs disbursed $20 million in American Rescue Plan funds, Dec. 21, 2021, to VA Medical Centers to provide critical and life-saving emergency assistance to Veterans experiencing homelessness or those enrolled in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program during the coronavirus pandemic. (1/4/22)
Newly created VA senior level post to coordinate Veteran homelessness effort in Greater Los Angeles - The Department of Veterans Affairs named Keith Harris as senior executive homelessness agent for Greater Los Angeles to represent the Office of the Secretary in the implementation of the West LA Master Plan 2022. (12/22/21)
Third report details VA’s continued efforts addressing COVID-19 pandemic - The Department of Veterans Affairs releases the third iteration of its Coronavirus Disease 2019 Response Report - Annex B addressing the pandemic from Jan. 1 through July 31. (12/22/21)
VA strengthens care for Veterans impacted by intimate partner violence and sexual assault - The Department of Veterans Affairs recently initiated a pilot program to improve services for Veterans who have experienced or are experiencing intimate partner violence or sexual assault. (12/14/21)
2021 Under Secretary for Health’s Robert L. Jesse Award recognizes VA boundary-breaking innovations - The Department of Veterans Affairs honored three innovative health care practices and their creators late October with the Robert L. Jesse Award for Excellence in Innovation. (12/8/21)
VA advances Electronic Health Record Modernization program - The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today its updated plan to move forward with its systemwide Electronic Health Record Modernization program. (12/1/21)
VA statement on GPO printing and mailing delay - Due to supply chain and staffing shortages, the vendor contracted by the Government Publishing Office to provide printing services for the Department of Veterans Affairs is experiencing delays in printing and mailing notification letters to Veterans and claimants. The disruption may impact the ability of some claimants to meet required deadlines via written correspondence with VA. (11/30/21)
VA and Indian Health Service broaden scope to serve American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans - The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Indian Health Service renewed a partnership, Oct. 1, to help the country’s nearly 145,000 American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans overcome health care access barriers. (11/23/21)
Smoking rates steadily trend down among Veterans receiving VA care - In conjunction with the Great American Smokeout observed Nov. 18, the Department of Veterans Affairs is encouraging Veterans to talk to their health care providers about smoking cessation programs to help them quit, as cigarette use continues to decline nationwide. (11/18/21)
VA helps women Veteran entrepreneurs power up - The Department of Veterans Affairs, in collaboration with the PenFed Foundation, helped three women-owned small businesses earn business development grants used to support their growing companies in the economic marketplace. (11/16/21)
VA updates disability rating schedules for genitourinary and cardiovascular systems - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced its update to the genitourinary and cardiovascular regulations in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities at Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations. (11/15/21)
VA pilots evaluation model to determine potential exposure to environmental hazards while serving - The Department of Veterans Affairs announced Nov. 11 it is piloting a comprehensive military exposure model to consider possible relationships of in-service environmental hazards to medical conditions. (11/11/21)
VA celebrates caregivers across the country for commitment to America’s Veterans - The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Caregiver Support Program is presenting a month-long series of virtual events and activities celebrating Veterans’ caregivers in recognition of National Family Caregivers Month. (11/10/21)
VA accesses resources to increase housing assistance for vulnerable Veterans - The Department of Veterans Affairs updated regulations Nov. 10 governing the Supportive Services for Veteran Families grant program to provide a more effective subsidy to Veterans in high-cost rental markets and to increase the cap in general housing assistance available to the most vulnerable Veteran families. (11/10/21)
