# Department of Veterans Affairs

Type: Company

Source: Healthcare Intelligence Brief — https://gethealthbrief.com/entity/department-of-veterans-affairs
Canonical HTML page: https://gethealthbrief.com/entity/department-of-veterans-affairs

## Timeline

- **2026-Q4**: Projected Groundbreaking — Anticipated start of construction for the new Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC).
- **2026-07-14**: MOU Signed Between HHS and VA — HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and VA Secretary Doug Collins sign a memorandum of understanding to advance psychedelic therapies for veterans, implementing Executive Order 14401.
- **2026-03-09**: Funding Announcement — Rep. Kiggans confirms nearly $80 million in federal funding for the Hampton Roads VA clinic.
- **2026-02-24**: Legislative Pushback — Lawmakers and DAV leadership demand formal rescission during committee hearings.
- **2026-02-19**: Enforcement Pause — Secretary Collins promises the VA will not enforce the controversial new rule.
- **2026-02-17**: Rule Publication — VA publishes rule requiring medical examiners to consider treatment effectiveness in ratings.
- **2025-01-01**: Ingram v. Collins Ruling — Court decision forces VA to reconsider hundreds of thousands of disability claims.
- **2024-05-15**: Telemedicine Act Introduced — The Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act is introduced to codify remote care flexibilities.

## Recent coverage (3 stories)

### 1M Veterans with Serious Mental Illness Targeted for Psychedelic Therapies Under New Federal Partnership
2026-07-14 21:14:48 · Sentiment: Neutral · Impact: 8/10 · Sources: 8

HHS and VA signed an MOU to accelerate research and clinical deployment of psychedelic therapies for the 1 million veterans with serious mental illness, implementing a Trump executive order. The collaboration will focus on clinical trials, clinician training, and real-world evidence collection to fast-track FDA-approved treatments into VA care.
Full story: https://gethealthbrief.com/story/hhs-va-psychedelic-partnership-veterans-1m

### Kiggans Secures $80M for VA Infrastructure and Advances Telehealth Protections
2026-03-10 01:09:28 · Sentiment: Neutral · Impact: 5/10 · Sources: 2

Representative Jen Kiggans has secured nearly $80 million in federal funding for a new VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Hampton Roads, addressing critical care gaps for one of the nation’s largest veteran populations. The move is paired with legislative support for the Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act, aimed at codifying remote prescription and care access.
Full story: https://gethealthbrief.com/story/kiggans-va-funding-telehealth-legislation

### VA Faces Mounting Pressure to Rescind Controversial Disability Rating Rule
2026-02-25 00:27:23 · Sentiment: Negative · Impact: 6/10 · Sources: 2

Veterans and lawmakers are demanding the formal rescission of a new VA rule that would lower disability ratings based on the effectiveness of medical treatments. While VA Secretary Doug Collins has promised non-enforcement, critics argue the rule's presence creates legal uncertainty and penalizes veterans for managing their health.
Full story: https://gethealthbrief.com/story/va-disability-rating-rule-controversy

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