Stories
VA Houston health care top stories.
For second straight year, VA Medical Center secures one of the top spots in the nation for excellence in nursing
![award graphic](https://s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/content.www.va.gov/img/styles/2_1_medium_thumbnail/public/2023-01/award-web_1.jpg)
When a Veteran has an urgent medical question, the Houston VA Clinical Contact Center (CCC) is available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.
![VA staff speak to Veterans on the phone](https://s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/content.www.va.gov/img/styles/2_1_medium_thumbnail/public/2023-01/CCC-2.png)
On August 10, 2022, President Joe Biden signed the historic Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act into law which expands VA health care and benefits for millions of Veterans who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances, along with their survivors.
![A Veteran receives a toxic exposure screening](https://s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/content.www.va.gov/img/styles/2_1_medium_thumbnail/public/2022-12/MicrosoftTeams-image%20%28108%29.png)
The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center is holding flu shot drive-thru clinics for all enrolled Veterans this weekend, Dec. 3-4 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
![Flu Drive Thru](https://s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/content.www.va.gov/img/styles/2_1_medium_thumbnail/public/2022-10/flu%20pic.jpg)
Calling all Vietnam era, Gulf War era, and Post-9/11 Veterans!
![PACT Act](https://s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/content.www.va.gov/img/styles/2_1_medium_thumbnail/public/2022-11/PACT-Act-1_0.png)
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has a new tool for Houston Veterans to get immediate answers to their minor health care questions.
![graphic](https://s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/content.www.va.gov/img/styles/2_1_medium_thumbnail/public/2022-11/Slide1-web.jpg)
The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center is holding a flu shot drive-thru for all enrolled Veterans on Nov. 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
![Veteran receives a flu shot.](https://s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/content.www.va.gov/img/styles/2_1_medium_thumbnail/public/2022-11/flu-shots-web.png)
On Oct. 5, the Conroe VA Clinic began offering echocardiogram ultrasounds as part of a new pilot program. Previously, all echocardiograms have been conducted at the main Houston campus.
![VA staff with an echocardiogram ultrasound machine](https://s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/content.www.va.gov/img/styles/2_1_medium_thumbnail/public/2022-10/echo-web.jpg)
This weekend, a special Veteran themed performance is coming to the Houston Performing Arts Center - the DIAVOLO Veterans Project.
![Woman leads woman with eyes closed](https://s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/content.www.va.gov/img/styles/2_1_medium_thumbnail/public/2022-10/diavolo-web.png)
A new tiny camera is helping doctors at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center remove gallstones and relieve ureteral obstructions – all without the need for surgery.
![VA radiologists](https://s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/content.www.va.gov/img/styles/2_1_medium_thumbnail/public/2022-10/spyglass-web.jpg)