VA Workforce Reduction Sparks Concern Amid Deferred Resignation Applications
As part of an initiative to reduce its workforce by 15%, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has seen a significant number of employees applying for deferred resignation. The Trump administration’s DOGE initiative has led to 11,273 employees nationwide seeking this option, according to data obtained by NPR.
The roles most affected by these applications include nurses, medical support assistants, and social workers, with approximately 1,300, 800, and 300 applications respectively.
Impact on Healthcare Services
VA Secretary Doug Collins has assured that the workforce cuts will not compromise veterans’ healthcare. In a recent Senate hearing, Collins addressed concerns raised by Democrats, stating, “I will not let you sit here and scare my veterans and scare my employees, because no one has discussed firing doctors or firing nurses.”
Senator Richard Blumenthal questioned how the VA plans to downsize to its 2019 size without impacting care. He emphasized, “It simply cannot be done. And you may give us a lot of verbiage here, but you’re not giving us facts.”
The VA, the second-largest U.S. government department after the Defense Department, employs around 470,000 people, with over 371,000 being healthcare professionals working across 1,380 facilities.
VA press secretary Pete Kasperowicz stated that the agency is cautious in approving healthcare staff resignations, with high-level reviews ensuring minimal impact.
Ongoing Staff Shortages
Senator Bernie Sanders highlighted existing staff shortages at the VA, with Collins acknowledging industry-wide recruitment challenges. He said, “We are the same as every other healthcare system. We’re struggling to recruit doctors, nurses, and others.”
Collins aims to boost productivity, remove bureaucracy, and enhance efficiency, asserting that benefits and healthcare will not be cut, only improved.
Veterans’ Concerns
Veterans and VA staff, many of whom are veterans themselves, express concern over potential impacts on benefits and healthcare. A poll by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America found that 81% of veterans are worried about federal cuts affecting their benefits.
Alex Maldonado, a veteran organizer, and Dan Clare from Disabled American Veterans voiced their concerns over the proposed cuts, which they fear could negatively impact patient care.
The VA has extended the application deadline for deferred resignations to May 16, with separations to occur by September 30, per myfedbenefitshelp.com.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
