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President Barack Obama is telling the Veterans Affairs Department it needs to keep working to improve services, health care and accountability for veterans. Obama met on Wednesday with VA Secretary Robert McDonald and his deputy, Sloan Gibson. The White House says Obama urged them to continue strengthening VA management, cutting the backlog of disability claims, speeding up access to health care and ending homelessness for veterans. (11/5)

A proposed rule from the Veterans Affairs Department regarding how providers can take part in a new effort to care for veterans is garnering criticism from the American Hospital Association. President Barack Obama signed a bill this summer that provides the VA $10 billion to contract out care for vets who can't get an appointment in 30 days at VA hospitals or clinics. Also covered are veterans who live more than 40 miles from a VA facility. (Dickson, 11/5)

Some Iowa veterans will soon receive cards they can use to obtain health care at private clinics and hospitals instead of at Veterans Affairs facilities. The "Veterans Choice" cards will be offered to veterans who live more than 40 miles from a VA facility or who have had to wait more than 30 days for an appointment. (Leys, 11/5)