The Veterans Affairs department has formally asked Congress for $2.1 billion in new funding for Indiana veteran healthcare. This massive request includes a landmark project for our community: an $86 million, 188,000-square-foot outpatient clinic right here in Fishers.
The facility is planned for a site adjacent to the IU Health Fishers campus along Interstate 69. If approved, it would represent the largest VA investment Hamilton County has ever seen.
What the VA Is Asking For
The $2.1 billion request covers two major, interconnected projects:
A Roudebush Replacement: The primary focus is a replacement for the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in downtown Indianapolis. Now nearly 75 years old, the facility is well past the point where patching it makes financial sense.
The Fishers Outpatient Facility: Priced at $86 million, this clinic would act as a critical suburban hub, moving routine care closer to where veterans actually live.
Both projects carry the VA’s highest internal priority rating. While that doesn't guarantee a check from Congress, it means the agency considers these more urgent than almost any other project in the country.
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Where in Fishers, and Why It Matters
The planned site is near the 136th Street and Olio Road interchange, sitting squarely within Fishers’ growing medical corridor.
For Hamilton County veterans, this is a game-changer. Currently, most rely on the downtown Roudebush facility located at 1481 W. 10th Street. Navigating downtown traffic from Fishers or Noblesville during business hours can easily turn a simple check-up into a half-day ordeal. A facility at 136th and I-69 would slash commute times for thousands of patients in one of Indiana's fastest-growing regions, an area we've covered in depth on our recent episode with Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness and other central Indiana mayors.
What "Outpatient" Means in Practice
This facility won't be a full-scale hospital with ER beds. Instead, it’s designed to handle the 80% of healthcare that veterans use most:
Primary Care & Mental Health: Regular check-ins and counseling.
Specialty Clinics: Direct access to specialized doctors.
Diagnostics: Lab work, X-rays, and advanced imaging.
Pharmacy Services: On-site prescription pickup.
The IU Health Factor: Because the clinic would share a campus with IU Health, the VA can route referrals to IU specialists more seamlessly. This "partnership model" is the future of the VA—placing smaller, high-tech clinics in residential areas while keeping intensive surgical care downtown.
Where the Funding Stands
As of May 2026, this is a formal budget request, not a "done deal."
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The package is currently being weighed by Congress. Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness has already voiced strong support, even indicating that the city is open to using tax-increment financing (TIF) to help with the infrastructure surrounding the site. Fadness has been vocal about responsible growth across the I-69 corridor, a topic he covered in our recent conversation with central Indiana mayors. While the federal appropriations process can take months (and construction years), having the #1 priority spot on the VA's list gives Fishers a major advantage in the funding fight.
What Local Veterans Should Know Now
Since the clinic is still in the planning and funding phase, there is nothing to apply for yet. However, Hamilton County veterans have options today:
Community Care Program: If you are enrolled in VA healthcare and the drive to 10th Street is too long, you may already qualify to see local private providers (like IU Health). Call 1-800-827-1000 to check your eligibility.
VA Telehealth: Many primary care and mental health visits can be handled via video through My HealtheVet.
Roudebush VA: The 10th Street facility remains the primary hub. While the building is aging, the quality of care remains top-tier.
Bottom Line: An $86 million VA clinic at 136th and I-69 would be the most significant veteran healthcare investment this region has ever seen. The request is in the right place, now it just needs the votes.
For more on what's happening in Fishers and across central Indiana, check out our Fishers coverage and sign up for the Get Indiana newsletter.
