Bay Pines VA Healthcare System to Receive Funding for Continued Infrastructure Improvements
PRESS RELEASE
May 18, 2026
Bay Pines, FL - Bay Pines VA Healthcare System received funding for Non-recurring Maintenance projects in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, after receiving funding in the first quarter of the fiscal year.
The funding is part of a record $4.8 billion in nationwide VA spending to modernize, repair, and improve health care facilities in FY2026 via the Veterans Health Administration’s Non-recurring Maintenance program.
Funding projects for Bay Pines VA Healthcare System in the second quarter of FY2026 are:
Abate, Remediate, and Restore Buildings 2, 23, and 71
Assessment for HP Boilers at Lee County
Correct Building 36 Structural Deficiencies
Emergency Department CT Replacement
EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades
Renovate Elevators in Building 100
Repair Roof Damage from Hurricanes
“This funding helps ensure Bay Pines VA can continue modernizing our facilities and enhancing the environment of care for the Veterans we are honored to serve throughout southwest Florida,” said Bay Pines VA Director David J. VanMeter.
Of the total $4.8 billion committed for fiscal year 2026, VA has obligated a total of $1.064 billion. Obligation of funds includes:
- $795 million to repair and upgrade outdated infrastructure systems in medical facilities.
- $255 million for maintenance and modernization of facility infrastructure to support future electronic health record system updates.
- $13 million for major building upgrades like elevators, electrical systems, and boiler plants.
This investment is just one of many ways the Trump Administration is making VA work better for Veterans. For example, VA has:
Enrolled more than 100,000 new Veterans in VA health care in 2026.
- Opened 34 new VA health care facilities since Jan. 20, 2025, Opening 34 new VA health care facilities, expanding health care access for Veterans around the country.
- Reduced the backlog of Veterans waiting for VA benefits by 67% since Jan. 20, 2025, after it increased 24% during the Biden Administration.
- Completed 82,083,918 direct care appointments in FY2025, up 4.1% from FY2024.
- Offered Veterans more than 2.3 million appointments outside of normal operating hours, giving Veterans more timely and convenient options for care.
- Permanently housed 51,936 homeless Veterans across the country in FY2025, the highest total in seven years.
For additional information: Contact Bay Pines VA Healthcare System’s Public Affairs Office at VHABAYPublicAffairs@va.gov or
Media contacts
Medina Ayala-Lo, Public Affairs Officer