VA Commits $4.8 Billion, Puts Veterans First With Facility Upgrades

The Department of Veterans Affairs will invest $4.8 billion in fiscal year 2026 through its Non-Recurring Maintenance program to modernize, repair, and upgrade health care facilities nationwide.

The VA’s announcement lays out a large, one-time spending push aimed at shoring up hospitals, clinics, and the systems that keep them running. Officials say the money targets infrastructure and equipment upgrades needed to deliver safe, reliable care to veterans.

The Non-Recurring Maintenance program covers projects that fall outside routine, recurring upkeep—major repairs, replacements, and system upgrades that restore or extend operational capability. These are the sorts of investments that stop small failures from becoming systemwide breakdowns and help facilities meet modern clinical demands.

This is the largest single-year NRM investment in VA’s history, and it signals a clear shift toward prioritizing facility readiness. The cash includes both physical plant improvements and technology preparation so care teams can work without avoidable disruptions.

“Under President Trump, VA is putting Veterans first, and this historic investment underscores that fact,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. The administration frames the spending as a promise kept to veterans who depend on clean, safe, and functional medical centers.

  • $2.8 billion to repair and upgrade outdated infrastructure systems in medical facilities, addressing HVAC, plumbing, and other core systems that affect patient safety and comfort.

  • $1 billion for maintenance and modernization of electronic health record systems, including facility preparation for future EHRM updates to ensure technology changes do not disrupt care.

  • $500 million for major building upgrades such as elevators, electrical systems, and boiler plants so that buildings meet code and keep services running reliably.

  • $500 million to modernize medical centers for current and future care, supporting updated layouts, upgraded clinics, and space for evolving clinical needs.

The VA will select specific projects every quarter, and the list for the first quarter of FY26 totals $468 million and is provided below. These award cycles are intended to spread work and inspections across the year so progress can be tracked and adjusted as needed.

Beyond the headline numbers, the plan has to translate into effective execution at each facility. Modernizing EHR readiness and physical plants requires local coordination, timely contracting, and clear oversight to make sure dollars produce measurable improvements for veterans and staff.

Republicans point to this spending as proof that when priorities are set, significant federal investments can follow without endless delay. The emphasis is on delivering concrete upgrades that veterans can see and use, rather than vague promises or open-ended programs.

Watch for quarterly project awards and progress updates from VA facilities; those reports will show whether the money yields durable upgrades and fewer facility-related service interruptions. This investment is a chance to fix long-standing maintenance shortfalls and improve care where veterans receive it most.

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