Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough told lawmakers Thursday that the agency needs more money in the next fiscal year to help address homelessness, suicide, aging facilities and community care, including payments to private doctors providing care to veterans.

The Biden administration is asking for an 8.5% increase in VA funding. It asks Congress to almost double the amount spent on suicide prevention.

“Suicide is a complex issue with no single cause,” McDonough told lawmakers, according to Military.com. “Maintaining the integrity of VA’s mental health care system is vitally important, but it is not enough. We know some veterans may not receive any health care services from VA, which highlights VA alone cannot end veteran suicide; it requires a nationwide effort.”

McDonough also stressed the importance of updating VA facilities. The average age of a VA medical facility is 58 years, compared to 11 years for non-VA medical facilities, he said.

“With aging infrastructure comes operational disruption, risk and cost.”

Joint Chiefs of Staff photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Hinton