The Department of Veterans Affairs announced plans to cut 10,000 full-time positions by 2025, primarily from its medical arm, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
This decision comes on the heels of a record hiring effort last year, which saw the department expand its workforce to meet the growing needs of its beneficiary population.
In fiscal year 2023, the VHA hired roughly 61,000 people, resulting in a net increase of 28,000 staff members.
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More than $5.6 billion would come out of the Department of Veterans Affairs, lowering discretionary spending by 4.2 percent.https://t.co/0WkxeL5CL2
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) March 12, 2024
The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) also added more than 6,000 employees during the same period. However, despite the successful hiring campaign and improved retention rates, the VA now finds itself in a position where it must trim approximately 2% of its total 458,000-member workforce.
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VA officials stated that the reduction will be achieved mainly through attrition, by not filling positions as employees leave or retire.
Dr. Shereef Elnahal, the VA’s under secretary for health, emphasized during a press conference that the cuts would primarily affect supervisory and support staff, and that clinicians such as doctors, nurses, and other in-demand positions would likely be spared.
The decision to trim 10,000 positions has raised concerns about the potential impact on the quality of care and services provided to veterans.
However, Laura Duke, VHA’s chief financial officer, explained that the need to reduce non-clinical jobs is a consequence of the successful hiring push made in response to the additional authorities provided under the PACT Act.
VA Plans to Cut 10,000 Jobs This Year on Medical Side of the House https://t.co/UoV96lwa41
— NOVA (@VetAdvocacy) March 20, 2024
She assured that the VHA will continue to hire health care workers for areas and specialties where the need is greatest, such as mental health, and will ensure that staff is aligned with the areas where veterans are seeking treatment within VA facilities.
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In addition to the cuts within the VHA, the VA’s fiscal 2025 budget documents indicate plans to reduce 104 positions from its general administration offices, primarily through attrition and by not filling current vacancies.
