News Release Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center 1111 East End Blvd Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 Contact: John Baloga (570) 824-3521 Ext. 24756 John.Baloga@va.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 15, 2026

Wilkes-Barre VA receives funding for continued infrastructure
improvements

Wilkes-Barre, PA – Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center received funding for Non-recurring Maintenance projects in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2026, after receiving funds earlier in the year.

The funding is the culmination 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 Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center in the fourth quarter of FY2026
are:

• Constructing of New Chiller Plant
• Modernizing Elevators
• New CT Scanner

“This funding allows the Wilkes-Barre VA to continue modernizing and improving, so our facility remains safe, efficient, and equipped to provide high-quality care for our
Veterans” said Russell Lloyd, Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center Director.

VA obligated all the $4.8 billion that was available in FY 2026. Maintenance projects
approved in the fourth quarter of FY2026 include:

1. $1.183 billion to repair and upgrade outdated infrastructure systems in medical
facilities.
2. $938 million for major building upgrades like elevators, electrical systems, and
boiler plants.
3. $560 million for maintenance and modernization of facility infrastructure to
support future electronic health record system updates.

This investment is just one of many ways the Trump Administration is making VA work
better for Veterans. Since Jan. 20, 2025, VA has:

1. Enrolled more than 300,000 new Veterans in VA healthcare in 2026.
2. Opened 43 new VA healthcare facilities, expanding healthcare access for
Veterans around the country.
3. Completed a record high 82,083,918 direct care appointments in fiscal year
2025, up 4.1% from FY 2024.
4. Completed a record high 59,989,662 community care appointments in FY 2025,
up 12% from FY 2024.
5. Offered Veterans more than 3.4 million appointments outside of normal operating
hours, giving Veterans more timely and convenient options for care.

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