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By Aliss Higham
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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced an $800 million boost in funding for infrastructure improvements across its health care facilities.
On Wednesday, the VA revealed plans to realign an additional $800 million to the Veterans Health Administration's Non-Recurring Maintenance (NRM) program during the current fiscal year.
Why It Matters
Across the U.S, there are 1,380 health care facilities, including 170 VA Medical Centers and 1,193 outpatient sites, serving over 9.1 million veterans enrolled in the VA health care program.
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The investment comes amid efforts to modernize VA medical facilities, strengthen accountability in spending, and ensure that veterans receive quality, timely care.
The funding increase aligns with a broader push in Congress and the federal government to fully support veterans' health programs, improve oversight, and reduce waste within the VA system.
What To Know
According to a press release, these funds will address urgent needs across VA facilities, covering projects such as modernization of boiler and chiller systems, upgrading electric infrastructure, improving elevators, updating heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, enhancing fire safety through sprinklers and alarms, renovating clinical and support spaces, and supporting the Electronic Health Record Modernization initiative.
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Numerous changes have been made to VA health and support programs throughout 2025.
Earlier this year, the VA confirmed that to help reduce wait times and administrative bottlenecks, those receiving its healthcare services will no longer need a second VA physician to review and approve their eligibility to receive non-VA health care.
In May, the VA announced that some $52 million in funding is now available to support community-based organizations focused on suicide prevention and emergency clinical services for veterans at risk of taking their own life. In a 2024 report, the VA revealed there were 6,407 suicides among Veterans in 2022, the latest year for which data is available.
More recently, on Tuesday, the VA announced a new partnership with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) aims to prevent duplicate health-care billings for veterans. The VA has identified $106 million in duplicate payments to providers over the last six years and as a result has begun seeking recovery from overpaid providers this month.
What People Are Saying
VA Secretary Doug Collins said in the press release: "This is another step forward in our efforts to make VA work better for the Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors we are charged with serving. Improved facilities, equipment, and infrastructure help improve care for Veterans, and these additional funds will enable VA to achieve that goal."
What Happens Next
The federal department said the new funding brings total NRM program spending for fiscal year 2025 to $2.8 billion—approximately $500 million more than the previous year, the VA reports.
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