Sustaining VA Research: A Critical Investment in Veteran Care for FY27

As Congress considers the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the National Association of VA Physicians and Dentists (NAVAPD) along with the Friends of VA Medical Care and Health Research (FOVA) coalition urges continued investment in VA’s research enterprise, which is integral to the Veterans Health Administration’s mission to provide high-quality, evidence-based care to Veterans. The coalition refers to all signatories on the statement for the record submitted by FOVA.

For more than a century, VA research has advanced clinical innovation, improved health outcomes for Veterans, and contributed to medical advancements that benefit the broader American public. NAVAPD and FOVA respectfully requested inclusion of the following language in the final appropriations report to sustain and modernize VA’s research infrastructure and workforce capacity:

1. Medical and Prosthetic Research
   The Committee provides $1,200,000,000 for Medical and Prosthetic Research. The Committee reaffirms that the Department’s research program is a core component of the Veterans Health Administration’s mission and a national asset that accelerates discovery, improves clinical outcomes for Veterans nationwide, and strengthens VA’s ability to recruit and retain top scientific talent.

2. Major and Minor Construction
   Research Infrastructure. The Committee provides $200,000,000 for major and minor construction to address critical research infrastructure deficiencies at VA medical centers and affiliated research facilities. The Committee is concerned that longstanding underinvestment in research facilities has contributed to deteriorating conditions, elevated remediation costs, and unresolved life-safety deficiencies. The Committee directs VA to prioritize projects that correct Priority 1 health and safety deficiencies (including, where applicable, sprinkler systems, emergency showers, and eyewash stations), restore or replace failing building systems, and modernize research space to meet contemporary standards for biomedical and translational research.

3. Information Technology
   Research Modernization. The Committee provides $55,000,000 for dedicated research information technology modernization and directs VA’s Office of Information and Technology (OIT), in coordination with ORD, to prioritize secure and interoperable platforms necessary for modern biomedical research. The Committee expects this funding to support research data storage and security, cloud computing capabilities, interoperability with research affiliates, and modernization of research IT infrastructure.

NAVAPD fully supports the language requested to be included in the final appropriations bill.  We encourage our members to contact their Members of Congress to support the recommendations as endorsed by NAVAPD and FOVA.