Jan Dyer

According to a small study reported by the NIH, antibody infusions dramatically suppressed the level of HIV virus in patients not taking antiretroviral therapy (ART).

The phase 1 clinical trial at the Vaccine Research Center of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) involved 23 HIV-infected people, of whom 15 were taking ART and 8 were not. Patients on ART were given 2 infusions of VRC01 28 days apart, those not on ART received 1 antibody infusion. The researchers say infusing the antibodies into a vein or under the skin was safe and well tolerated.

Related: Initiatives Aim at Improving HIV and Mental Health Services

The antibody infusions did not reduce the amount of HIV in the blood cells, but these infusions reduced plasma viral load by 10-fold in 6 patients not on ART. The antibody also did not appear to have any effect in people taking ART whose virus was already suppressed.

Related:Anthrax Antitoxin Drugs Added to the Stockpile

In 2 patients who began with the lowest viral loads, the antibody suppressed HIV to extremely low levels for approximately 3 weeks or as long as VRC01 was present at therapeutic concentrations. In 4 other people whose HIV levels declined, viral load fell “substantially” although not to undetectable levels. In 2 people not on ART, viral loads remained steady. The researchers subsequently found that the predominant HIV strain in these patients’ bodies had been resistant to VRC01 at the outset.

According to a small study reported by the NIH, antibody infusions dramatically suppressed the level of HIV virus in patients not taking antiretroviral therapy (ART).

The phase 1 clinical trial at the Vaccine Research Center of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) involved 23 HIV-infected people, of whom 15 were taking ART and 8 were not. Patients on ART were given 2 infusions of VRC01 28 days apart, those not on ART received 1 antibody infusion. The researchers say infusing the antibodies into a vein or under the skin was safe and well tolerated.

Related: Initiatives Aim at Improving HIV and Mental Health Services

The antibody infusions did not reduce the amount of HIV in the blood cells, but these infusions reduced plasma viral load by 10-fold in 6 patients not on ART. The antibody also did not appear to have any effect in people taking ART whose virus was already suppressed.

Related:Anthrax Antitoxin Drugs Added to the Stockpile

In 2 patients who began with the lowest viral loads, the antibody suppressed HIV to extremely low levels for approximately 3 weeks or as long as VRC01 was present at therapeutic concentrations. In 4 other people whose HIV levels declined, viral load fell “substantially” although not to undetectable levels. In 2 people not on ART, viral loads remained steady. The researchers subsequently found that the predominant HIV strain in these patients’ bodies had been resistant to VRC01 at the outset.

According to a small study reported by the NIH, antibody infusions dramatically suppressed the level of HIV virus in patients not taking antiretroviral therapy (ART).

The phase 1 clinical trial at the Vaccine Research Center of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) involved 23 HIV-infected people, of whom 15 were taking ART and 8 were not. Patients on ART were given 2 infusions of VRC01 28 days apart, those not on ART received 1 antibody infusion. The researchers say infusing the antibodies into a vein or under the skin was safe and well tolerated.

Related: Initiatives Aim at Improving HIV and Mental Health Services

The antibody infusions did not reduce the amount of HIV in the blood cells, but these infusions reduced plasma viral load by 10-fold in 6 patients not on ART. The antibody also did not appear to have any effect in people taking ART whose virus was already suppressed.

Related:Anthrax Antitoxin Drugs Added to the Stockpile

In 2 patients who began with the lowest viral loads, the antibody suppressed HIV to extremely low levels for approximately 3 weeks or as long as VRC01 was present at therapeutic concentrations. In 4 other people whose HIV levels declined, viral load fell “substantially” although not to undetectable levels. In 2 people not on ART, viral loads remained steady. The researchers subsequently found that the predominant HIV strain in these patients’ bodies had been resistant to VRC01 at the outset.

The Denan Project, a Connecticut-based nonprofit, has begun training more than 20 Native American medical community health nurses, paraprofessionals, and health technicians to support young parents and their families. Home-based lessons will be given to expectant and young mothers from pregnancy to 3 years postpartum. By the end of the year the program will support 150 at-risk families.

The Denan Project is an all-volunteer community-based organization that provides health and development assistance to underserved people in remote areas. It is committing financial resources for more than 2 years to support the Family Spirit program of the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health. Family Spirit is an evidence-based and culturally tailored home-visiting program delivered by Native American paraprofessionals. It operates in 59 reservation and urban Native American communities in 14 states. After 12 years of operation in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the Denan Project launches its first US-based program with training in the Navajo communities of Chinle, Pinon, and Tsaile, in Arizona.

With a mission to provide help to people living in the most remote and poorest places in the world, Dick Young, president and founder said, “we felt it was right to work closer to home and identified the Family Spirit initiative as an excellent partner.”

The Denan Project, a Connecticut-based nonprofit, has begun training more than 20 Native American medical community health nurses, paraprofessionals, and health technicians to support young parents and their families. Home-based lessons will be given to expectant and young mothers from pregnancy to 3 years postpartum. By the end of the year the program will support 150 at-risk families.

The Denan Project is an all-volunteer community-based organization that provides health and development assistance to underserved people in remote areas. It is committing financial resources for more than 2 years to support the Family Spirit program of the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health. Family Spirit is an evidence-based and culturally tailored home-visiting program delivered by Native American paraprofessionals. It operates in 59 reservation and urban Native American communities in 14 states. After 12 years of operation in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the Denan Project launches its first US-based program with training in the Navajo communities of Chinle, Pinon, and Tsaile, in Arizona.

With a mission to provide help to people living in the most remote and poorest places in the world, Dick Young, president and founder said, “we felt it was right to work closer to home and identified the Family Spirit initiative as an excellent partner.”

The Denan Project, a Connecticut-based nonprofit, has begun training more than 20 Native American medical community health nurses, paraprofessionals, and health technicians to support young parents and their families. Home-based lessons will be given to expectant and young mothers from pregnancy to 3 years postpartum. By the end of the year the program will support 150 at-risk families.

The Denan Project is an all-volunteer community-based organization that provides health and development assistance to underserved people in remote areas. It is committing financial resources for more than 2 years to support the Family Spirit program of the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health. Family Spirit is an evidence-based and culturally tailored home-visiting program delivered by Native American paraprofessionals. It operates in 59 reservation and urban Native American communities in 14 states. After 12 years of operation in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the Denan Project launches its first US-based program with training in the Navajo communities of Chinle, Pinon, and Tsaile, in Arizona.

With a mission to provide help to people living in the most remote and poorest places in the world, Dick Young, president and founder said, “we felt it was right to work closer to home and identified the Family Spirit initiative as an excellent partner.”

The CDC recently released an article titled 2015: What Kept Us Up at Night and What Will Keep Us Busy in 2016, which lists antibiotic resistance as a top concern. According to the CDC, in 2015 more than 23,000 Americans died from these “largely preventable” infections; but it “learned that when health care facilities coordinate their efforts, they can prevent the spread of nightmare bacteria resistant to most antibiotics.” Newly published guidelines intended to support better communication and prevent the spread of bacteria provide instructions on how state and local health departments can alert local facilities when antibiotic-resistant bacteria are reported in their area.

In 2016, the CDC will aim to reverse the number of deaths from infections resistant to antibiotics. The next steps include the debut of the AR Patient Safety Atlas, an interactive web platform with open access to antibiotic resistance data on healthcare-associated infections reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network.

This year the CDC also will release the first antibiotic stewardship report on progress in prescribing practices. “We must preserve these miracle medications,” the year-end review says, “so we can avoid returning to the pre-antibiotic era when minor infections often led to death.”

The CDC recently released an article titled 2015: What Kept Us Up at Night and What Will Keep Us Busy in 2016, which lists antibiotic resistance as a top concern. According to the CDC, in 2015 more than 23,000 Americans died from these “largely preventable” infections; but it “learned that when health care facilities coordinate their efforts, they can prevent the spread of nightmare bacteria resistant to most antibiotics.” Newly published guidelines intended to support better communication and prevent the spread of bacteria provide instructions on how state and local health departments can alert local facilities when antibiotic-resistant bacteria are reported in their area.

In 2016, the CDC will aim to reverse the number of deaths from infections resistant to antibiotics. The next steps include the debut of the AR Patient Safety Atlas, an interactive web platform with open access to antibiotic resistance data on healthcare-associated infections reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network.

This year the CDC also will release the first antibiotic stewardship report on progress in prescribing practices. “We must preserve these miracle medications,” the year-end review says, “so we can avoid returning to the pre-antibiotic era when minor infections often led to death.”

The CDC recently released an article titled 2015: What Kept Us Up at Night and What Will Keep Us Busy in 2016, which lists antibiotic resistance as a top concern. According to the CDC, in 2015 more than 23,000 Americans died from these “largely preventable” infections; but it “learned that when health care facilities coordinate their efforts, they can prevent the spread of nightmare bacteria resistant to most antibiotics.” Newly published guidelines intended to support better communication and prevent the spread of bacteria provide instructions on how state and local health departments can alert local facilities when antibiotic-resistant bacteria are reported in their area.

In 2016, the CDC will aim to reverse the number of deaths from infections resistant to antibiotics. The next steps include the debut of the AR Patient Safety Atlas, an interactive web platform with open access to antibiotic resistance data on healthcare-associated infections reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network.

This year the CDC also will release the first antibiotic stewardship report on progress in prescribing practices. “We must preserve these miracle medications,” the year-end review says, “so we can avoid returning to the pre-antibiotic era when minor infections often led to death.”

According to the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, 30% to 40% of civilian deaths from traumatic injury are due to hemorrhaging, and as many as half of patients die before reaching a hospital.

 

Recently, the FDA approved the use of XStat 30, a wound dressing used to control severe bleeding on the battlefield, for civilian emergencies and patients at high risk of life-threatening hemorrhagic shock.

The manufacturer calls it a first of its kind hemostatic device that comprises syringe-style applicators with 92 compressed cellulose sponges and an absorbent coating. Each sponge also contains an X-ray-detectable marker.   

The tiny sponges are dispensed directly into the wound where they expand within 20 seconds of contact with blood, blocking blood flow and providing hemostatic pressure for wounds in the groin or axilla when a tourniquet cannot be placed. Each applicator’s worth of sponges can absorb about a pint of blood and can be used for up to 4 hours, allowing time to get the patient to a hospital.

According to the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, 30% to 40% of civilian deaths from traumatic injury are due to hemorrhaging, and as many as half of patients die before reaching a hospital.

 

Recently, the FDA approved the use of XStat 30, a wound dressing used to control severe bleeding on the battlefield, for civilian emergencies and patients at high risk of life-threatening hemorrhagic shock.

The manufacturer calls it a first of its kind hemostatic device that comprises syringe-style applicators with 92 compressed cellulose sponges and an absorbent coating. Each sponge also contains an X-ray-detectable marker.   

The tiny sponges are dispensed directly into the wound where they expand within 20 seconds of contact with blood, blocking blood flow and providing hemostatic pressure for wounds in the groin or axilla when a tourniquet cannot be placed. Each applicator’s worth of sponges can absorb about a pint of blood and can be used for up to 4 hours, allowing time to get the patient to a hospital.

According to the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, 30% to 40% of civilian deaths from traumatic injury are due to hemorrhaging, and as many as half of patients die before reaching a hospital.

 

Recently, the FDA approved the use of XStat 30, a wound dressing used to control severe bleeding on the battlefield, for civilian emergencies and patients at high risk of life-threatening hemorrhagic shock.

The manufacturer calls it a first of its kind hemostatic device that comprises syringe-style applicators with 92 compressed cellulose sponges and an absorbent coating. Each sponge also contains an X-ray-detectable marker.   

The tiny sponges are dispensed directly into the wound where they expand within 20 seconds of contact with blood, blocking blood flow and providing hemostatic pressure for wounds in the groin or axilla when a tourniquet cannot be placed. Each applicator’s worth of sponges can absorb about a pint of blood and can be used for up to 4 hours, allowing time to get the patient to a hospital.

Although mention of hip pain usually triggers a physical examination followed by an X-ray, hip osteoarthritis might be missed if practitioners rely only on hip radiographs, say researchers from Boston University, University of California, Tufts Medical Center, and others.

Their study found that most older patients with frequent hip pain did not have radiographic hip osteoarthritis and vice versa. They analyzed data from pelvic radiographs in 2 groups: the Framingham Osteoarthritis Study and the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

The Framingham study had radiographic evidence of hip osteoarthritis present in only 16% of 946 patients with frequent hip pain; 21% of hips with radiographic hip osteoarthritis were frequently painful. Sensitivity of X-ray for hip pain localized to the groin was 37%, specificity 91%, positive predictive value 6.0%, and negative predictive value 99%. Factoring in painful internal rotation did not change the outcomes.

Among the 4,366 Osteoarthritis Initiative patients, only 9% of those with painful hips showed X-ray evidence of osteoarthritis, and 24% of those with radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis were painful. The sensitivity was 17%, specificity 94%, positive predictive value 7%, and negative predictive value 98%.

The researchers note that inadequate recognition of osteoarthritis has consequences in older patients, such as increased morbidity from heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and frailty. Health professionals should continue with the evaluation and treatment of osteoarthritis, they conclude, despite negative radiographic findings.

Source:
Kim C, Nevitt MC, Niu J. et al. BMJ. 2015;351:1-8.
doi: 10 .113 6/bmj.h5983.

Although mention of hip pain usually triggers a physical examination followed by an X-ray, hip osteoarthritis might be missed if practitioners rely only on hip radiographs, say researchers from Boston University, University of California, Tufts Medical Center, and others.

Their study found that most older patients with frequent hip pain did not have radiographic hip osteoarthritis and vice versa. They analyzed data from pelvic radiographs in 2 groups: the Framingham Osteoarthritis Study and the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

The Framingham study had radiographic evidence of hip osteoarthritis present in only 16% of 946 patients with frequent hip pain; 21% of hips with radiographic hip osteoarthritis were frequently painful. Sensitivity of X-ray for hip pain localized to the groin was 37%, specificity 91%, positive predictive value 6.0%, and negative predictive value 99%. Factoring in painful internal rotation did not change the outcomes.

Among the 4,366 Osteoarthritis Initiative patients, only 9% of those with painful hips showed X-ray evidence of osteoarthritis, and 24% of those with radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis were painful. The sensitivity was 17%, specificity 94%, positive predictive value 7%, and negative predictive value 98%.

The researchers note that inadequate recognition of osteoarthritis has consequences in older patients, such as increased morbidity from heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and frailty. Health professionals should continue with the evaluation and treatment of osteoarthritis, they conclude, despite negative radiographic findings.

Source:
Kim C, Nevitt MC, Niu J. et al. BMJ. 2015;351:1-8.
doi: 10 .113 6/bmj.h5983.

Although mention of hip pain usually triggers a physical examination followed by an X-ray, hip osteoarthritis might be missed if practitioners rely only on hip radiographs, say researchers from Boston University, University of California, Tufts Medical Center, and others.

Their study found that most older patients with frequent hip pain did not have radiographic hip osteoarthritis and vice versa. They analyzed data from pelvic radiographs in 2 groups: the Framingham Osteoarthritis Study and the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

The Framingham study had radiographic evidence of hip osteoarthritis present in only 16% of 946 patients with frequent hip pain; 21% of hips with radiographic hip osteoarthritis were frequently painful. Sensitivity of X-ray for hip pain localized to the groin was 37%, specificity 91%, positive predictive value 6.0%, and negative predictive value 99%. Factoring in painful internal rotation did not change the outcomes.

Among the 4,366 Osteoarthritis Initiative patients, only 9% of those with painful hips showed X-ray evidence of osteoarthritis, and 24% of those with radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis were painful. The sensitivity was 17%, specificity 94%, positive predictive value 7%, and negative predictive value 98%.

The researchers note that inadequate recognition of osteoarthritis has consequences in older patients, such as increased morbidity from heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and frailty. Health professionals should continue with the evaluation and treatment of osteoarthritis, they conclude, despite negative radiographic findings.

Source:
Kim C, Nevitt MC, Niu J. et al. BMJ. 2015;351:1-8.
doi: 10 .113 6/bmj.h5983.

The CDC has released an updated version of the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP) Atlas.

The Atlas is an online tool that allows a user to easily analyze, map, and create tables from more than 10 years’ of data reported to the CDC.

Easy-to-follow instructions guide users through the “basic query” function, allowing them to map diseases by year, geographical area, and population group and create bar graphs that display changes over time and patterns across the U.S. Users also can download and export data and graphics as PDFs. Footnote sections provide more information about the surveillance data for each disease.

The Advanced Query function allows for the creation of customized tables that provide flexibility when comparing diseases, areas, and populations. This functionality also allows users to compare 2 or more diseases, examine multiple areas (eg, by state), view 2 or more years of data (eg, 2008-2013), or drill down to subpopulations of interest (eg, race, age, or sex).

The CDC also offers ready-made slide sets that show examples of the analyses that can be performed with the Atlas. These slides address diagnoses, social determinants of health, and recommended queries for each disease. For example, the slide for new diagnoses breaks down the data for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis A, B, and C, and tuberculosis by race, sex, date, age, and U.S. county.

For more on the Atlas, visit www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/atlas/about-atlas.html. A webcast demonstrating functionality and Q&As are also available at www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/atlas/video.html

The CDC has released an updated version of the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP) Atlas.

The Atlas is an online tool that allows a user to easily analyze, map, and create tables from more than 10 years’ of data reported to the CDC.

Easy-to-follow instructions guide users through the “basic query” function, allowing them to map diseases by year, geographical area, and population group and create bar graphs that display changes over time and patterns across the U.S. Users also can download and export data and graphics as PDFs. Footnote sections provide more information about the surveillance data for each disease.

The Advanced Query function allows for the creation of customized tables that provide flexibility when comparing diseases, areas, and populations. This functionality also allows users to compare 2 or more diseases, examine multiple areas (eg, by state), view 2 or more years of data (eg, 2008-2013), or drill down to subpopulations of interest (eg, race, age, or sex).

The CDC also offers ready-made slide sets that show examples of the analyses that can be performed with the Atlas. These slides address diagnoses, social determinants of health, and recommended queries for each disease. For example, the slide for new diagnoses breaks down the data for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis A, B, and C, and tuberculosis by race, sex, date, age, and U.S. county.

For more on the Atlas, visit www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/atlas/about-atlas.html. A webcast demonstrating functionality and Q&As are also available at www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/atlas/video.html

The CDC has released an updated version of the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP) Atlas.

The Atlas is an online tool that allows a user to easily analyze, map, and create tables from more than 10 years’ of data reported to the CDC.

Easy-to-follow instructions guide users through the “basic query” function, allowing them to map diseases by year, geographical area, and population group and create bar graphs that display changes over time and patterns across the U.S. Users also can download and export data and graphics as PDFs. Footnote sections provide more information about the surveillance data for each disease.

The Advanced Query function allows for the creation of customized tables that provide flexibility when comparing diseases, areas, and populations. This functionality also allows users to compare 2 or more diseases, examine multiple areas (eg, by state), view 2 or more years of data (eg, 2008-2013), or drill down to subpopulations of interest (eg, race, age, or sex).

The CDC also offers ready-made slide sets that show examples of the analyses that can be performed with the Atlas. These slides address diagnoses, social determinants of health, and recommended queries for each disease. For example, the slide for new diagnoses breaks down the data for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis A, B, and C, and tuberculosis by race, sex, date, age, and U.S. county.

For more on the Atlas, visit www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/atlas/about-atlas.html. A webcast demonstrating functionality and Q&As are also available at www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/atlas/video.html

Opioid-related hospitalizations in rural areas are increasing nearly twice as fast as in urban areas (8.6% vs 4.9%).  But rural primary care comes with some barriers to effectively treat opioid abuse, including lack of access to specialty treatment centers, limited continuing training opportunities, and lack of social support services.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has called for research to expand access to evidence-based treatment for opioid abuse disorders in rural areas and is backing that call with up to $12 million to be awarded over the next 4 years. Specifically, the grants will fund as many as 4 research projects exploring ways to overcome barriers to the use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in underserved communities.

Researchers may examine online training for physicians, in-office practice coaching, and virtual counseling sessions; projects also can create training resources to expand patients’ access to MAT.

Grant applications are due March 4, 2016. For more information: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HS-16-001.html.

Opioid-related hospitalizations in rural areas are increasing nearly twice as fast as in urban areas (8.6% vs 4.9%).  But rural primary care comes with some barriers to effectively treat opioid abuse, including lack of access to specialty treatment centers, limited continuing training opportunities, and lack of social support services.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has called for research to expand access to evidence-based treatment for opioid abuse disorders in rural areas and is backing that call with up to $12 million to be awarded over the next 4 years. Specifically, the grants will fund as many as 4 research projects exploring ways to overcome barriers to the use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in underserved communities.

Researchers may examine online training for physicians, in-office practice coaching, and virtual counseling sessions; projects also can create training resources to expand patients’ access to MAT.

Grant applications are due March 4, 2016. For more information: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HS-16-001.html.

Opioid-related hospitalizations in rural areas are increasing nearly twice as fast as in urban areas (8.6% vs 4.9%).  But rural primary care comes with some barriers to effectively treat opioid abuse, including lack of access to specialty treatment centers, limited continuing training opportunities, and lack of social support services.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has called for research to expand access to evidence-based treatment for opioid abuse disorders in rural areas and is backing that call with up to $12 million to be awarded over the next 4 years. Specifically, the grants will fund as many as 4 research projects exploring ways to overcome barriers to the use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in underserved communities.

Researchers may examine online training for physicians, in-office practice coaching, and virtual counseling sessions; projects also can create training resources to expand patients’ access to MAT.

Grant applications are due March 4, 2016. For more information: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HS-16-001.html.

Feedback from veterans has led to changes that will make participating in the Veterans Choice Program more convenient, especially for those who live far from a VA medical facility.

The Choice Program went into effect in 2014, and more than 400,000 medical appointments have been logged since then. Under the old policy, a veteran was eligible for the program if he or she had enrolled in VA health care by August 1, 2014, or was able to enroll as a combat veteran; experienced unusual or excessive burden, determined by geographical challenges, environmental factors, or medical condition affecting ability to travel; or lived more than 40 miles from the closest VA medical facility.

Under the updated requirements, a veteran is eligible if he or she has been waiting (or will have to wait) more than 30 days for VA medical care; lives more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA medical facility with a full-time primary care physician; needs to travel by air, boat, or ferry to the closest facility; faces an unusual or excessive burden in traveling; or lives in a state or territory without a full-service VA medical facility.

Care in the community is covered only by the VA for medical needs that have been approved by the veteran’s VA physician. The Choice Program does not affect the veteran’s existing VA health care or any other VA benefit.

For more details: www.va.gov/opa/choiceact.

Feedback from veterans has led to changes that will make participating in the Veterans Choice Program more convenient, especially for those who live far from a VA medical facility.

The Choice Program went into effect in 2014, and more than 400,000 medical appointments have been logged since then. Under the old policy, a veteran was eligible for the program if he or she had enrolled in VA health care by August 1, 2014, or was able to enroll as a combat veteran; experienced unusual or excessive burden, determined by geographical challenges, environmental factors, or medical condition affecting ability to travel; or lived more than 40 miles from the closest VA medical facility.

Under the updated requirements, a veteran is eligible if he or she has been waiting (or will have to wait) more than 30 days for VA medical care; lives more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA medical facility with a full-time primary care physician; needs to travel by air, boat, or ferry to the closest facility; faces an unusual or excessive burden in traveling; or lives in a state or territory without a full-service VA medical facility.

Care in the community is covered only by the VA for medical needs that have been approved by the veteran’s VA physician. The Choice Program does not affect the veteran’s existing VA health care or any other VA benefit.

For more details: www.va.gov/opa/choiceact.

Feedback from veterans has led to changes that will make participating in the Veterans Choice Program more convenient, especially for those who live far from a VA medical facility.

The Choice Program went into effect in 2014, and more than 400,000 medical appointments have been logged since then. Under the old policy, a veteran was eligible for the program if he or she had enrolled in VA health care by August 1, 2014, or was able to enroll as a combat veteran; experienced unusual or excessive burden, determined by geographical challenges, environmental factors, or medical condition affecting ability to travel; or lived more than 40 miles from the closest VA medical facility.

Under the updated requirements, a veteran is eligible if he or she has been waiting (or will have to wait) more than 30 days for VA medical care; lives more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA medical facility with a full-time primary care physician; needs to travel by air, boat, or ferry to the closest facility; faces an unusual or excessive burden in traveling; or lives in a state or territory without a full-service VA medical facility.

Care in the community is covered only by the VA for medical needs that have been approved by the veteran’s VA physician. The Choice Program does not affect the veteran’s existing VA health care or any other VA benefit.

For more details: www.va.gov/opa/choiceact.