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April 24, 2015 - As previously reported, in March the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) expanded the eligibility for the Veterans Choice Program by changing the calculation used to determine the distance between a veteran’s residence and the nearest VA facility from a straight line, or as the crow flies, to driving distance. This change has been published in the Federal Register and is effective immediately.

“This update to the program will allow more Veterans to access care when and there they want it,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald.  This change is expected to double the number of veterans eligible to seek care in their communities and comes amid complaints from lawmakers and advocates, including RCRC, who argued the interpretation prevented thousands of veterans from accessing care.

Source: Rural County Representatives of California