INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis could be getting a new veterans hospital. The first step toward that goal has already happened.
The bill still has to go before the Senate and eventually get the signature of the president.
The bipartisan measure, approved by all nine of Indiana’s U.S. representatives, includes nearly $2 billion to replace and modernize the current VA hospital and campus.
According to the Veterans Administration, Indy’s Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center serves as the flagship hospital for the VA Indiana Health Care system. The system serves more than 62,000 veterans each year and handles hundreds of thousands of outpatient appointments annually.
Another $86 million is included to build an outpatient facility in Fishers.
The Indianapolis project is the only full veterans hospital replacement in President Donald Trump’s 2027 fiscal year budget.
Credit: WTHR
The Richard L. Roudebush Veterans’ Administration Medical Center is located at 1481 W. 10th St. in downtown Indianapolis.
13News spoke with Dominiq Barnes, a 28-year-old Air Force veteran, who receives medical care at Roudebush, about the possibility of a more modern facility.
“I would say it’s like, it’s a lot, large number in the grant, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s moving the goal post forward, as far as, like, what we would see from, you know, hospitals and treatment facilities for veterans, as well as other people who could benefit from it, ” Barnes said.
Sen. Jim Banks (R-Indiana), who sits on the Senate’s Veterans Affairs Committee, praised Trump for including the projects in his 2027 budget, calling it a big win for Indianapolis.
The funding bill also includes an amendment from Congressman André Carson that increases funding for the VA Medical and Prosthetic Research Program.
Under Carson’s amendment, the funding increased to $994 million, up from $922 million.
The money would be used to fund research on PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, limb loss, chronic disease and cancer in veterans.
SOURCE: Emily Longnecker | WTHR