TL/DR –
Democratic Congress members, including Rep. Chrissy Houlahan and Iraq War veteran Congressman Chris Deluzio, have expressed concern over the Trump Administration’s plan to cut around 35,000 healthcare jobs within the Veterans Affairs (VA) system. They suggest that the cuts could potentially lead to increased waiting times, forcing veterans to seek more expensive and less specialized healthcare support from private providers. Internal VA documents show that the planned job cuts are spread across the country, with the VA in Western Pennsylvania, for example, planning to cut 481 jobs.
Houlahan, Democratic Veterans Sound Alarm on Trump VA’s Healthcare Job Cuts Plan
Concerns are rising as internal documents reveal the Trump Administration’s VA is planning to cut around 35,000 healthcare jobs. Members of the Democratic Veterans Caucus, led by Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) and Iraq War veteran Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17), alongside veteran Pat Ryan (NY-18) and others are raising the alarm. They warn this move will negatively impact veterans’ healthcare, potentially increasing wait times and driving veterans towards more costly and less accountable private healthcare providers.
Details of Job Cuts Revealed
In a recent event at the U.S. Capitol, the Democratic veterans unveiled details from internal VA documents outlining regional breakdowns of the planned cuts at VA Medical Centers nationwide. For example, Congressman Deluzio highlighted that in Western Pennsylvania alone, 481 jobs are set to be lost as part of this plan.
A “Betrayal” to Veterans
“The move to eliminate healthcare jobs and privatize the VA is a betrayal,” Congressman Deluzio announced. “Our veterans have earned and deserve high-quality care. Such drastic job cuts, including essential roles like doctors and nurses, will inevitably impact this. We urge Secretary Collins to reconsider these dangerous cuts. In Pennsylvania, people—especially veterans—are strongly opposing this misguided plan, and we stand together in this fight.”
—
Read More Health & Wellness News ; US News