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VA looks to abruptly eliminate tens of thousands of health care jobs – The Washington Post

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VA plans to abruptly eliminate tens of thousands of health care jobs

Strains on the Veterans Affairs system could grow with the elimination of as many as 35,000 mostly unfilled health care positions, including doctors and nurses.

Updated December 13, 2025, 7 min, By Meryl Kornfield, Hannah Natanson and Lisa Rein.

Government reporters Meryl Kornfield, Hannah Natanson and Lisa Rein can be reached securely on Signal at (301) 821-2013, (202) 580-5477 and (202) 821-3120, respectively.

The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to abruptly eliminate as many as 35,000 health care positions this month, mostly unfilled jobs including doctors, nurses and support staff, according to an internal memo, VA staffers and congressional aides.

The cuts come after a massive reorganization effort already resulted in the loss of almost 30,000 employees this year.

Agency leaders have instructed managers across the Veterans Health Administration, the agency’s health care arm, to identify thousands of openings that can be canceled. Employees warn that the contraction will add pressure to an already stretched system, contributing to longer wait times for care.

The decision comes after Veterans Affairs Secretary Douglas A. Collins, under political pressure from Congress, backed away from a plan to slash 15 percent of the agency’s workforce through mass firings. Instead, VA lost almost 30,000 employees this year from buyout offers and attrition.

🏛️Following Politics

The agency hopes that the cuts will reduce the health care workforce to as little as 372,000 employees, a 10 percent reduction from last year, according to a memo shared with regional leaders last month and obtained by The Washington Post. Details of the cuts came into focus in recent days, according to 17 staffers at VA and congressional aides who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they didn’t have permission to share plans.

VA spokesman Pete Kasperowicz confirmed the planned cuts for unfilled positions. He said the health care system is eliminating about 26,400 of its open jobs, which he described as “mostly covid-era roles that are no longer necessary.”

“The vast majority of these positions have not been filled for more than a year, underscoring how they are no longer needed,” he wrote in response to questions. “This move will have no effect on VA operations or the way the department delivers care to Veterans, as we are simply eliminating open and unfilled positions that are no longer needed.”

The nation’s largest government-run health care system has struggled to fill vacancies amid a broader national shortage of health care workers and a strained federal workforce. Job applications to the agency have also fallen 57 percent from last year, according to the agency’s workforce report last month.

This reorganization comes in advance of an expected announcement next week that Collins plans to also shrink the network of 18 regional offices that administer the nation’s VA hospitals and medical centers, according to four people familiar with the plan. Staff at those regional offices help determine policies and manage staffing. Collins and others have been critical of the agency’s top-heavy administrative offices, arguing that staffing cuts there will free up more resources for health care.

The health system grew by tens of thousands of employees under the Biden administration as more veterans enrolled in VA health care after passage of the PACT Act, which expanded benefits for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. Then-secretary Denis McDonough urged veterans to be seen by VA doctors rather than request referrals to private practitioners outside the system.

Continue/Read Original Article Here: VA looks to abruptly eliminate tens of thousands of health care jobs – The Washington Post

VA looks to abruptly eliminate tens of thousands of health care jobs – The Washington Post

WP Exclusive

VA plans to abruptly eliminate tens of thousands of health care jobs

Strains on the Veterans Affairs system could grow with the elimination of as many as 35,000 mostly unfilled health care positions, including doctors and nurses.

Updated December 13, 2025, 7 min, By Meryl Kornfield, Hannah Natanson and Lisa Rein.

Government reporters Meryl Kornfield, Hannah Natanson and Lisa Rein can be reached securely on Signal at (301) 821-2013, (202) 580-5477 and (202) 821-3120, respectively.

The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to abruptly eliminate as many as 35,000 health care positions this month, mostly unfilled jobs including doctors, nurses and support staff, according to an internal memo, VA staffers and congressional aides.

The cuts come after a massive reorganization effort already resulted in the loss of almost 30,000 employees this year.

Agency leaders have instructed managers across the Veterans Health Administration, the agency’s health care arm, to identify thousands of openings that can be canceled. Employees warn that the contraction will add pressure to an already stretched system, contributing to longer wait times for care.

The decision comes after Veterans Affairs Secretary Douglas A. Collins, under political pressure from Congress, backed away from a plan to slash 15 percent of the agency’s workforce through mass firings. Instead, VA lost almost 30,000 employees this year from buyout offers and attrition.

🏛️Following Politics

The agency hopes that the cuts will reduce the health care workforce to as little as 372,000 employees, a 10 percent reduction from last year, according to a memo shared with regional leaders last month and obtained by The Washington Post. Details of the cuts came into focus in recent days, according to 17 staffers at VA and congressional aides who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they didn’t have permission to share plans.

VA spokesman Pete Kasperowicz confirmed the planned cuts for unfilled positions. He said the health care system is eliminating about 26,400 of its open jobs, which he described as “mostly covid-era roles that are no longer necessary.”

“The vast majority of these positions have not been filled for more than a year, underscoring how they are no longer needed,” he wrote in response to questions. “This move will have no effect on VA operations or the way the department delivers care to Veterans, as we are simply eliminating open and unfilled positions that are no longer needed.”

The nation’s largest government-run health care system has struggled to fill vacancies amid a broader national shortage of health care workers and a strained federal workforce. Job applications to the agency have also fallen 57 percent from last year, according to the agency’s workforce report last month.

This reorganization comes in advance of an expected announcement next week that Collins plans to also shrink the network of 18 regional offices that administer the nation’s VA hospitals and medical centers, according to four people familiar with the plan. Staff at those regional offices help determine policies and manage staffing. Collins and others have been critical of the agency’s top-heavy administrative offices, arguing that staffing cuts there will free up more resources for health care.

The health system grew by tens of thousands of employees under the Biden administration as more veterans enrolled in VA health care after passage of the PACT Act, which expanded benefits for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. Then-secretary Denis McDonough urged veterans to be seen by VA doctors rather than request referrals to private practitioners outside the system.

Continue/Read Original Article Here: VA looks to abruptly eliminate tens of thousands of health care jobs – The Washington Post

The #health system grew by tens of thousands of employees under the #Biden admin as more #veterans enrolled in #VA #healthcare after passage of the #PACTAct, which expanded benefits for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. Then-secretary Denis McDonough urged veterans to be seen by VA doctors rather than request referrals to private practitioners outside the system.

#Trump #Republicans #military #VeteransAffairs #service #ServiceMembers #medical #health #betrayal #USpol #law

This law helps us provide generations of Veterans — and their survivors — with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.
https://rosecoveredglasses.wordpress.com/2025/11/01/new-benefits-for-multiple-generations-of-veterans-assumed-presumptive-condition-explained-2/
#Veterans #Benefits #PACTAct

Jeez, an agent-orange inflicted, nothing-to-lose veterans demographic is a strange segment to target with your massive gutting of government services, especially when your base also skews to the gun-toting segment as well. I mean those have gotta overlap in a Venn diagram that sometimes bites.

#doge #uspoli #PACTact

South Korea, long a close ally of the U.S., has significantly increased its budget for veterans and their family members. Even though it lags behind the Americans' level of support, the VA in the U.S. can learn from its East Asian partner.

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/international/2024/12/16/508793/what-south-korea-can-learn-from-and-teach-the-u-s-on-veterans-care/

#HealthScience #Healthcare #InDepth #International #MedicineWellness #News #Politics #DepartmentOfVeteransAffairs #NorthKorea #PACTAct #Ptsd #RepublicOfKorea #SouthKorea #VeteransHealth

Montana’s veterans represent the best among us. As long as Jon Tester is in the Senate, they'll have someone they can count on to fight for them. Take it from Terry, a Vietnam veteran and a lifelong Republican. #BlueWaveRising #MTPol #Allied4Dems #PACTAct #Veterans #DemCast #Montana

Trisha for Colorado: "Danielle"

Danielle Robinson, the widow of US Army Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson, talks about how Lauren Boebert's behavior at the State of the Union and her vote against the PACT Act impacted her Family.
#PACTAct #VeteransHealthcare #Vote4Healthcare #DemCast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh-HF0PD-zg

Bob Casey always stands with Veterans to make sure they receive their hard earned benefits from putting their bodies on the line. That's why we need to keep him in the Senate to continue fighting for stronger veterans programs. #BlueWaveRising #PACTAct

VP Kamala Harris supported efforts to pass the PACT Act, which improved veterans' health benefits through legislation. The Act expands eligibility for the Department of Veterans Affairs treatment of conditions related to service during the Vietnam War, Gulf War, the Global War on Terrorism, and other military campaigns.
#PACTAct #VeteransHealth #VeteransHealthcareAdministration #Veterans #YesWeKam #YesWeKam2024 #HarrisWalz #HarrisWalz2024 #Vote4Healthcare #DemCast
#100ReasonsToVoteHarris2024

Senator Tester got the PACT Act done two years ago when nobody said he could. Why? Because it was the # 1 priority for Veterans and their families. We need to do the same with Senator Tester's Major Richard Star Act—the top legislative issue for veterans and VSOs. Our combat-injured Vets can't wait. #MTPol #JonTester @JonTester #Montana #PACTAct #MajorRichardStarAct #Veterans #VeteransHealthcare

Thanks to Sen. Tester’s PACT Act, the Montana VA recently surpassed 35,000 million toxic exposure screenings for veterans. The PACT Act, signed into law in 2022, expanded health care benefits for veterans exposed to toxins, and has provided screenings for 73% of Montana’s veteran population. Learn more about the PACT Act here! https://bit.ly/4dlyAhG
#MTPol #Montana #Veterans #PACTAct

#VETERANS!! Today is the deadline to inform the VA of your intent to file a claim under the #PACTAct and have the effective date backdated to August of 2022.

There is no deadline to file under the PACT Act, this is the deadline to get your claim *backdated* to the effective date of the act.

EXTENDED DEADLINE: #Veterans and survivors now have until Monday, August 14 at 11:59pm to file your #PACTAct claim—or submit your intent to file—and be eligible for benefits backdated to August 10, 2022.

Take advantage of this extension and file now at VA.gov/PACT.

The PACT Act is here to stay, and Veterans and survivors will always be able to apply for the care and benefits they deserve.

But if you apply by Monday night, you could be eligible for backdated benefits.

https://twitter.com/SecVetAffairs/status/1689458542003068928

Biden is making emarks at the Wahlen VA Hospital in SLC, #Utah to mark the anniversary of his signing of the #PACTAct

Deadline fast approaching for #veterans exposed to toxins to get #PACTAct coverage

https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2023/08/04/veterans-exposed-to-burn-pits-toxins-urged-to-apply-for-retroactive-benefits/

Jon Stewart encourages vets exposed to toxic chemicals to apply for medical benefits through the PACT Act. Please pass it on.

https://www.threads.net/@seaoflalune/post/CvK6pdltZYD/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

#PACTAct #Veterans #Vets

Rep. Ted Lieu tweets:

Veterans, if you were exposed to toxic substances during your service, you may be eligible for extra benefits under the PACT Act. Apply by August 9 for retroactive benefits. Go to https://VA.gov/pact to learn more.

#UnitedStates #Veterans #PACTAct #BurnPits #AgentOrange #ToxicExposure

Thanks to Senator Tammy Baldwin’s support of the PACT Act—our nation’s first legislation for health care for toxic-exposed veterans—a Wisconsin veteran’s widow is receiving the help she needs.

#WisDems #Wisconsin #DemCastWI #PACTAct

PACT Act takes on internet platform content rules with ‘a scalpel rather than a jackhammer’ - The PACT Act is a new bipartisan effort to reform Section 230, the crucial liability shield that ena... more: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/60vUquHaf1Y/ #government #section230 #pactact #policy #senate