The gap between where veterans live and where they can access timely, specialized healthcare has never been more apparent. While major cities often boast VA medical centers and satellite clinics, rural and remote regions tell a different story. Veterans in those areas typically face long (like hours-long) drives for routine care, not to mention the challenge of finding local providers who understand the unique needs of those who have served. It’s a problem that’s been discussed for years, but 2025 is shaping to be a year where action finally meets intent.
Shining a Light on the Scope of the Problem
Understanding the scale of underserved areas requires looking beyond simple headcounts. A rural county might have only a few hundred veterans, but access becomes more about logistics than policy if the nearest VA clinic is more than a hundred miles away. That’s where data has been critical in mapping out the shortfalls. VA leadership has been using geographic analysis to identify “care deserts” and then layering in information on existing non-VA providers. This creates a complete picture of where outreach and infrastructure are most needed. Those maps aren’t just static visuals; they feed directly into where mobile clinics, telehealth expansions, and funding are prioritized.
Beyond geography, there is also the important question of specialized services. Rural veterans needing prosthetic adjustments, post-traumatic stress counseling, or complex cardiac follow-up care can find themselves waiting months. Weather, transportation costs, and physical limitations create obstacles even when travel is possible. This is why the conversation has thankfully shifted from just “we need to have a clinic” to making sure that the right mix of specialists are within reach.
The New Model for Expanding Care
The VA’s latest strategy relies heavily on a new and improved hybrid approach that blends physical outreach with digital expansion. Mobile medical units are rolling into rural hubs on scheduled visits, offering primary care, pharmacy services, and diagnostic testing directly to veterans who otherwise face long drives. Their predictable routes create a level of certainty that rural healthcare often lacks.
Behind the scenes, the telehealth infrastructure has been reworked. Just as veterans often want clarity on how VA disability pay is calculated, the VA has applied that same emphasis on transparency to its travel reimbursement policies. Eligibility rules have been updated to recognize internet and technology access as real barriers to care. Now, when a veteran must travel to a telehealth-enabled location—such as a library or community center—they can receive reimbursement for that trip.
Partnerships are also shaping this new model. By bringing local hospitals and private practices into the VA’s provider network, veterans in smaller towns can receive specialized care close to home. As long as the provider meets VA standards, the visit is covered. The system isn’t flawless, availability still depends on location, but it often spares patients from long, costly drives for routine or specialized appointments.
Connecting Care to Community Moments
While infrastructure and policy form are of course the backbone of this expansion, public awareness has also played an equally important role. VA health officials have learned that some veterans aren’t aware of the services available, especially when new programs roll out. Community events tied to national observances, like Veterans or Memorial Day, have now become opportunities to bridge that gap.
Mobile clinics are often on-site during these gatherings, providing everything from blood pressure checks to mental health screenings. These aren’t just symbolic gestures; they help normalize the idea that medical care can come to veterans, rather than the other way around. Partnering with veteran service organizations, local governments, and even high schools hosting Memorial Day ceremonies makes sure that the reach goes well-beyond those that are already plugged into the VA system.
There’s also a growing push to pair these events with enrollment drives for both VA health care and complementary programs like caregiver support and adaptive housing grants. By aligning health outreach with moments that already draw veterans and their families together, the VA is leveraging trust and familiarity to get people through both the literal and digital doorways.
Tackling the Rural Provider Shortage
Expanding VA services into underserved areas isn’t just about the VA itself, it’s also about the wider healthcare workforce. Even the best-intentioned expansion plan hits a wall if there aren’t enough qualified providers that are able to work in remote locations. To address this, the VA has launched targeted incentives, from student loan repayment programs to relocation bonuses, specifically for healthcare professionals who agree to serve in rural clinics or travel as part of mobile care units.
The ripple effect of these incentives is beginning to show. More nurse practitioners and physician assistants are signing on to rural assignments, and residency programs are starting to include rural rotations in partnership with VA facilities. The VA is betting on long-term retention by exposing future medical professionals to these communities early in their careers.
Integrating Mental Health Into Every Visit
Mental health care is usually one of the hardest services to access in underserved areas. The VA’s expansion strategy has prioritized integrating mental health screenings into virtually every point of contact. That means a veteran coming in for a routine blood test at a mobile clinic may also receive a quick mental wellness check and, if needed, an immediate referral for telehealth therapy and counseling.
By making mental health part of standard care rather than a separate, stigmatized process, the VA is reducing barriers to treatment. This approach also addresses the reality that the number of touchpoints with the healthcare system is minimal for many rural veterans. Each interaction needs to count.
Closing the Gap With Technology
The VA is leaning heavily on technology for veterans with reliable internet access to close the distance gap. Remote patient monitoring programs easily allow healthcare teams to track vitals and symptoms in real time, which, in turn, allows them to modify care plans without requiring in-person visits that aren’t feasible for many vets. These systems are especially valuable for chronic conditions like heart failure or diabetes, where early detection of changes can prevent costly hospitalizations.
The work is far from finished, but with each mobile clinic visit, rural provider hire, and telehealth connection made, the distance between veterans and the healthcare they deserve grows smaller.
