Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs News Releases
VA to award more than 425 grants, $279 million to help prevent and end Veteran homelessness - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today it will award more than 425 grants to community organizations totaling approximately $279 million under the Grant Per Diem (GPD) program. (8/19/20)
VA partners with OnStar to bring suicide prevention services to Veterans with the push of a button - WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today it is partnering with OnStar’s emergency services to improve access to suicide prevention resources for Veterans. (8/17/20)
VA decreases mail processing time for claims intake - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) has improved procedures by incorporating an artificial intelligence (AI) solution to reduce the time it takes to process in-coming mail from 10 days to just one day. (8/13/20)
VA prepares to welcome volunteers back to health care facilities - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today plans to gradually and safely reintroduce volunteers to its health care facilities. (8/11/20)
VA responds to COVID-19 with schedule revisions to electronic health record implementation - After delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) revised its previous schedule to convert facilities to its new electronic health record (EHR) capabilities with updated timelines for deployments in August in Columbus, Ohio, and October in Spokane, Washington. (8/7/20)
VA to award more than $400 million in grants to end Veteran homelessness - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today it will begin awarding more than $400 million in grants under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program (SSVF) to 266 non-profit organizations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands on Oct. 1 of this year. (8/7/20)
New data shows Veterans’ increased use of online VA health care tools during COVID-19 pandemic - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released new data today showing a significant increase in the use of My HealtheVet, a VA online tool designed to help Veterans make informed decisions about their health. (8/6/20)
VA, Elizabeth Dole Foundation to offer respite relief for Veteran caregivers - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in partnership with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation (EDF) today announced the launch of a new foundation program granting family caregivers access to no-cost, short-term aid to help those caring for wounded, ill or injured Veterans or service members in their homes during the coronavirus pandemic. (8/5/20)
VA, America’s Adopt A Soldier partner to help Veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness stay connected - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today it is collecting laptop and mobile phone donations through an established partner non-profit organization, America’s Adopt A Soldier, to help Veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness stay connected to their health care providers, case managers and loved ones. (8/3/20)
VA publishes final regulation for its Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers - WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today published its final regulation to improve and expand the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) with the final regulation going into effect on Oct. 1. (7/31/20)
VA survey to collect customer feedback on education benefits - WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced the launching of its Veterans Signals (VSignals) surveys to assess education benefits processes. (7/30/20)
VA reduces prescription opioid use by 64% during past eight years - WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today it has successfully reduced prescription opioid use in patients within the VA health care system by 64%, from more than 679,000 Veterans in fiscal year 2012 to 247,000 in fiscal year 2020 through quarter three. (7/30/20)
VA and partner agencies announce COVID-19 Insights Partnership - WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), along with the Departments of Energy (DOE) and Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the formation of the COVID-19 Insights Partnership, an initiative to coordinate and share health data as well as research and expertise to aid in the fight against COVID-19. (7/28/20)
Study shows VA surgical care better than or equal to non-VA hospitals - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced VA hospitals outperform or match neighboring non-VA hospitals in surgical quality and overall patient safety satisfaction. (7/20/20)
VA health care first to have Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services codes for chaplain care - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced it has been approved to establish three new Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes for chaplain spiritual care. (7/16/20)