ERIE — The Department of Veterans Affairs will realign an additional $800 million this fiscal year as part of the Veterans Health Administration’s Non-Recurring Maintenance program, which makes infrastructure improvements to healthcare facilities to ensure safe and effective patient care.

The extra funding means more resources to repair and update aging VA facilities and technology.

The additional funding will be spent on a variety of improvement projects at various VA healthcare facilities across the nation, including the Erie VA Medical Center, where the following improvements will occur:

• Replace legacy mechanical equipment
• Replace boiler safety valves and fittings
• Expand Emergency Power Generation Phase 3 (EEPG III)
• Electronic Health Records Management (EHRM) infrastructure upgrades

“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,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins.

“Improved facilities, equipment and infrastructure help improve care for Veterans, and these additional funds will enable VA to achieve that goal.”

The additional funds will come from savings gleaned from various VHA reform efforts. The additions will bring total NRM program spending for fiscal year 2025 to $2.8 billion — a nearly $500 million increase from fiscal year 2024.

These improvements are the latest in a growing list of VA accomplishments during the second Trump Administration, including:

• The backlog of veterans waiting for VA benefits is down more than 37% since Jan. 20.
• Since Jan. 20, VA has offered veterans nearly 1 million appointments outside of normal operating hours. These early-morning, evening and weekend appointments are giving veterans more timely and convenient options for care.
• VA has opened 16 new healthcare clinics across the nation since Jan. 20.
• The president’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request would add billions to VA’s budget.
• VA has made it easier and faster for VA-enrolled vbeterans to access care from non-VA providers at the department’s expense.
• VA has implemented major reforms to make it easier for survivors to get benefits.
• VA is processing record numbers of disability claims, reaching 1 million claims processed for FY25 on Feb. 20 and reaching 2 million claims by June — both in record time.