Search Results for keywords:"Veterans Affairs"

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a meeting for the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses, scheduled to take place via teleconference on March 10, 2021. This open session will run from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. EST and can be accessed by the public through a Webex link or by phone. The Committee provides advice to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs about research related to health issues faced by Gulf War veterans. The meeting will review recent research and share updates from a 2020 conference, allowing time for public comments before ending.

The final rule from the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services allows Veterans Affairs (VA) practitioners to prescribe controlled substances to VA patients via telemedicine without needing an in-person medical evaluation by the prescribing practitioner. This is permissible if another VA practitioner has conducted an in-person evaluation. This change provides greater access to care for veterans, especially those in rural or underserved areas, while still implementing safeguards against the misuse of controlled substances. The rule includes requirements for reviewing the patient's electronic health record and state prescription drug monitoring program data before prescribing.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced an update to the monetary allowance available for eligible burials in VA national cemeteries during 2021. This allowance helps cover the private purchase of an outer burial receptacle, like a graveliner, and is set at $372.00. The amount is calculated by subtracting administrative costs from the average cost of government-provided graveliners in 2020. This notice lets interested parties know about these cost details and the effective date of January 1, 2021.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), part of the Department of Veterans Affairs, is proposing a collection of information and is inviting public comments, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This proposal involves the VA Form 10-10EC, used to determine copayment obligations for veterans seeking extended care services by collecting financial data. The VHA is seeking input on the necessity and accuracy of this information collection, ways to improve its quality, and methods to lessen the burden on respondents. Comments should be submitted by February 24, 2025, through www.regulations.gov.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has released a notice updating the information on Tier 1 medications for the year 2025. Section 17.110 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) outlines the copayment procedures for medications provided to veterans, and this update specifies the Tier 1 medication list, which is available on the VA's website. The updated list will be effective from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025. Douglas A. Collins, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, approved the update on February 18, 2025.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking public comments on an information collection activity related to student enrollment ratios in educational institutions. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, they want to ensure that no more than 85% of students in approved programs are receiving financial support from the institution or the VA. This compliance, known as the 85/15 Rule, helps prevent overpayment of VA educational assistance. Comments are open until January 2, 2025, and institutions must periodically submit data to confirm compliance.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a virtual meeting of the Advisory Committee on Disability Compensation, following the guidelines of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The meeting's purpose is to provide the VA Secretary with advice on maintaining and updating the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities, which affects veterans' disability compensation. Although the public can attend, there won't be time for oral presentations, but individuals can submit written statements by February 12, 2021, for review. Interested participants can access the meeting using the provided call-in number and contact Sian Roussel for more information and the meeting agenda.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced its plan to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a project involving a massive new replacement facility for the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. The proposed relocation aims to meet the growing healthcare needs of an increasing Veteran population in South Texas, addressing the existing hospital's outdated infrastructure and space constraints. Two preliminary options are being considered: relocating to a new site within the San Antonio medical district or redeveloping the current site. The community and stakeholders are invited to provide comments and participate in public meetings, as the VA evaluates the environmental and social impacts of these options.

In January 2025, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services published new rules about expanding telemedicine practices. These rules were supposed to take effect on February 18, 2025, but have been delayed to March 21, 2025. This delay aligns with a Presidential order for a "Regulatory Freeze Pending Review," allowing more time for feedback on the rules. The rules allow certain medical professionals to prescribe medications via telemedicine, even without an initial in-person visit, under specific conditions. Public comments about this delay are encouraged, focusing on potential policy, legal, and factual issues.

The Department of Veterans Affairs, through the Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE), is seeking public comments on its proposed information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This collection, identified as the Vetbiz Vendor Information Pages Verification Program, aims to gather information to help federal agencies identify small businesses owned by veterans and service-disabled veterans. The main purpose is to ensure these businesses have the chance to participate in federal contracts. The VA estimates that the process will take around 30 minutes per response, with a total expected burden of 10,000 hours annually.