The VA has succeeded in dramatically reducing the number of homeless veterans nationwide. But the number of homeless female veterans is increasing in Colorado and across the country. Could a lack of gender-specific treatments be to blame?

In a policy shift, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will allow VA health providers to talk to veterans about medical marijuana, according to a directive issued Dec. 8. The policy ends rules that prohibited VA providers from discussing marijuana with their patients, even in states where it was approved for medical use.

To celebrate Veterans Day, "News Match 2017" featured journalists and newsrooms whose work has lifted up critical issues impacting veterans and their families, including our recent "Insight with John Ferrugia: Serving Those Who Served" report on the VA system in Colorado. Now through Dec. 31, 2017, donations made to RMPBS through Newsmatch.org will be matched 1:1 by national foundations.

Nearly one in five Colorado veterans who live in rural Colorado are not getting the same care as vets in metropolitan areas. And even though the state government and Colorado counties help fund the gaps in veteran care with transportation, nursing care, and advocating for services, rural veterans are still lacking.