The proposed VA pilot program would link qualified veterans with approved community-based virtual care providers when timely treatment at VA facilities is not feasible.
WILMINGTON, NC, UNITED STATES, August 6, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Project VBOT and The Recovery Platform have renewed their backing for the Virtual-Based Opioid Treatment for Veterans Act following its bipartisan introduction by U.S. Representatives Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), Carol Miller (R-W.Va.), and Don Davis (D-N.C.).
The legislation would instruct the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to launch a two-year pilot within the Veterans Community Care Program. Under this plan, eligible veterans suffering from opioid use disorder could be referred to approved community-based virtual treatment providers when VA facilities cannot offer timely care. This pilot is intended to complement—not substitute for—care provided directly by the VA.
For veterans living in rural and underserved areas, factors such as travel distance to a treatment site, a shortage of providers, transportation difficulties, and extended wait times can hinder care at the very moment an individual is ready to pursue recovery. Project VBOT and The Recovery Platform endorse the legislation’s emphasis on eliminating these obstacles while maintaining clinical quality, accountability, and the VA’s essential role in veteran healthcare.
“A veteran’s ability to start treatment should not be determined by how far they live from a clinic or whether a specialist has an appointment available at exactly the right time. This bipartisan bill acknowledges that qualified virtual care can serve as a responsible bridge when timely VA care is not accessible. We are proud to stand behind a proposal that prioritizes access, continuity, and the needs of veterans.” — Reynold Yordy, CTO, The Recovery Platform
Project VBOT is a clinician-led virtual treatment model established by the North Carolina Medical Society Foundation and The Recovery Platform to broaden access to evidence-based care for opioid use disorder. The Recovery Platform is a cutting-edge technology system that equips providers and community partners to deliver accessible, retention-focused virtual treatment infrastructure.
“The key takeaway from virtual treatment is simple: when care is more accessible, more people have a genuine chance to begin treatment and remain engaged. This pilot would enable the VA to assess a structured community-care pathway for veterans who might otherwise be delayed by distance, waiting periods, or a lack of local specialists.” — David Bolton, Clinical Director, Project VBOT
The congressional announcement references VA research involving over 17,000 veterans receiving buprenorphine. Those who accessed at least some care through telehealth were more likely to stay in treatment for a minimum of 90 days compared to those who received care exclusively in person.
Project VBOT and The Recovery Platform encourage members of Congress to continue bipartisan discussion of the legislation and to involve veterans, clinicians, community treatment providers, and VA leaders as the bill moves forward and, if enacted, as the pilot’s standards and implementation framework are shaped.
About Project VBOT
Project VBOT is a clinician-led virtual treatment model founded by the North Carolina Medical Society Foundation and The Recovery Platform to expand access to evidence-based care for opioid use disorder. The model integrates medical care, counseling, peer support, and care navigation through a coordinated virtual approach. Find out more at projectvbot.com.
About The Recovery Platform
The Recovery Platform is an innovative technology platform that enables providers and community partners to deliver accessible, retention-focused virtual treatment infrastructure. The Recovery Platform’s advanced technology drives clinical workflow and patient engagement to boost clinician efficiency, patient retention, and outcomes by removing barriers to treatment. Learn more at therecoveryplatform.com.
Zach Herrmann, VP of Marketing
The Recovery Platform
zherrmann@therecoveryplatform.com
