MATTHEW DALY, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Veterans Affairs says it is relaxing a rule that makes it hard for some veterans in rural areas to prove they live at least 40 miles from a VA health site.

The change comes in response to pressure from Congress and veterans groups, who say the VA’s current policy has prevented thousands of veterans from taking advantage of a new law intended to allow veterans in remote areas to gain access to federally paid medical care from local doctors.

The VA said it will now measure the 40-mile trip by driving miles, rather than as the crow flies, as currently interpreted. The rule change is expected to roughly double the number of eligible veterans.

The VA says few veterans have seen private doctors under the new law.