Expand Veterans Centers in rural areas

Already more rural Vet Centers, more coming

Updated: Tuesday, May 19th, 2009 | By Robert Farley

The Obama administration's proposed 2010 budget calls for better services for mental health care and cognitive injuries for veterans in rural areas.

"Conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury present major challenges in caring for our nation’s veterans," according to a budget fact sheet prepared by the administration. "The president’s budget expands the mental health screening and treatment services offered by VA and focuses on reaching veterans in rural areas. VA will increase the number of Vet Centers and mobile health clinics to expand access to mental health screening and treatment in rural areas."

According to a spokesman in the VA office, the federal government will open 39 new veterans centers by the end of 2009, bringing the national total to 271. Consideration of rural areas far from existing services will be included in an analysis to identify sites for new Vet Center in 2010.

We think that's enough to move this promise to In the Works.

Sources: Office of Management and Budget, President's Budget: Fact Sheets on Key Issues