H.R. 9652: Northern Marianas VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic Authorization Act of 2026

This bill would let the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) spend up to $3.696 million in fiscal year 2027 to create a community-based outpatient clinic in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands.

What the project could cover

• Building a new clinic
• Leasing space for a clinic
• Converting an existing building into a clinic
• Renovating, altering, repairing, or retrofitting a facility for outpatient care

What flexibility the VA would have

The bill would give the VA flexibility to use alternative building, design, space, resiliency, or construction standards if the VA decides those are appropriate for the Northern Mariana Islands. The standards would still need to result in a facility that is safe, accessible, functional, and suitable for veterans’ outpatient care.

What the VA must consider

When deciding whether and how to carry out the project, the VA would have to consider the area’s special challenges, including:

• the lack of a permanent VA clinical presence in the Northern Mariana Islands;
• the distance to existing medical facilities;
• the need to ship building materials by ocean;
• the limited availability of contractors, subcontractors, and contractor housing; and
• the goal of reducing travel burdens for veterans who live there.

Funding

The bill would authorize $3.696 million to be appropriated for this project and deposited into the VA’s Construction, minor projects account.

Relevant Companies

None found