The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs plans to spend an additional $1.5 million in Nebraska to help improve health care for veterans in rural areas.

The Lincoln VA office will use the money to help veterans in rural areas throughout the region it serves, which includes Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, and North and South Dakota.

The additional money will be used to increase the number of mobile clinics, establish new outpatient clinics and fund innovative pilot programs.

VA Secretary James Peake says the agency is trying to bring more of its services to veterans instead of forcing them to travel to VA hospitals or clinics.