Trump’s proposed cuts to VA would harm Veterans

The Trump administration is planning to cut 83,000 Veterans Administration jobs, including jobs in the Veterans Health Administration and the Veterans Benefits Administration. More than 11,000 VA employees have already applied for deferred resignation. These include essential personnel in short supply: nurses, medical support assistants, and social workers.

Indiscriminately reducing VA staff will not create any efficiencies, but will hurt support and care for our Veterans.

The VA’s Department of Government Security (DOGE) Senior Advisor recently indicated that DOGE personnel did not find any evidence of fraud at the VA. Interestingly, DOGE then fired this Senior Advisor for sharing this information with the American people by talking to a reporter.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Doug Collins, says that staff cuts will not affect Veterans’ health care, but how could losing medical staff not affect VA health care services?

Wait times for VA contact and care are already getting longer and longer. Staff cuts will only make this situation worse.

I’m a retired, 20 yr US Army Veteran with a combat tour as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. I relied on the VA providing the GI bill for college and a home loan.  My son, Chris, recently retired from the Army after tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.  He has a family and requires VA medical care.  Cutting 83,000 VA jobs will reduce health care and benefits for our Veterans. 

On June 14th, Trump has ordered a $45 million parade to honor his birthday while he cuts VA resources.

Let’s really thank our Veterans for their service by calling our US Congressperson and Senators, attending their town halls, and demanding that they ensure we maintain adequate VA staffing in order to continue providing excellent health care and support for our Veterans.

Ken Peterson

MAJ U.S. Army (Ret.)

Buchanan