Healthcare worker
Staffing shortages at the VA have caused double shifts, errors, and low morale, raising concerns about patient care and veteran well-being. Mikhail Nilov/Pexels

The Trump administration has eliminated 14,400 healthcare positions at the Department of Veterans Affairs, raising concerns about access to medical care for roughly 9 million US veterans. The cuts include 1,500 doctors and 4,900 nurses, and account for around 5% of the VA's total medical workforce. Internal analysis indicates that most of the eliminated roles had been filled at some point in 2025 or 2026, intensifying questions about the impact on veteran healthcare services.

Departmental officials have defended the decision, insisting that no employees lost their jobs and that care for veterans will continue uninterrupted. A White House spokesperson, Anna Kelly, said that personnel levels will remain steady and that VA facilities will continue to hire for positions as needed.

Background on Longstanding Staffing Challenges

The Department of Veterans Affairs has faced persistent staffing shortages in recent years. A 2025 report by the VA's inspector-general found that more than 90% of facilities suffered severe shortages of doctors, while nearly 80% experienced critical shortages of nurses. These deficits were compounded by retirements, resignations, and a federal hiring freeze.

President Donald Trump and former VA nominee Doug Collins had previously emphasised the importance of maintaining veteran healthcare. Trump stated in November 2024, ahead of Collins' nomination, that the administration was committed to taking care of veterans. During his confirmation hearing in January 2025, Collins assured the Senate that 'VA care is going to happen' and that veterans would continue to receive necessary support.

Details of Job Cuts and Departmental Defence

In addition to medical roles, the VA eliminated 11,700 other positions, including social workers, psychologists, secretaries, police officers, and custodial staff. According to a New York Times analysis of internal records, approximately 73% of the medical positions had been occupied at some point in 2025 or 2026, contradicting claims that the vacancies had lingered unfilled for over a year.

Peter Kasperowicz, a VA spokesperson, characterised the reporting as 'an extreme liberal publication that is incapable of covering the Trump administration fairly' and described the report as a 'shoddy hit piece'. He maintained that the removed positions were not required and that the department's performance should be measured by outcomes rather than staffing numbers.

Staff Experiences and Veteran Concerns

Former VA staff have highlighted the practical effects of staffing shortages. Geddes Scott, a recently retired nurse in New York City, said that understaffing forced nurses to work double shifts, increasing the risk of errors. Psychiatrist Dr Katie Phelps, who left the VA last year, described the reduction in medical staff as 'very worrisome', citing unintended consequences on patient care.

A 2025 report in The Washington Post described the atmosphere among VA staff as 'fearful, paranoid, and demoralised.' Social workers at hospitals reported that veterans were aware of the staffing situation and expressed concern over continuity of care.

Wider Context: Federal Hiring Freeze and Policy Shifts

The reductions follow a broader context of federal hiring freezes and previous plans to cut VA roles. In July 2025, the department considered eliminating 83,000 positions but reversed the decision amid fears of public outcry. At the time, the VA anticipated losing around 30,000 staff by the end of the fiscal year due to retirements, resignations, and attrition.

Doug Collins said that the department would continue to prioritise mission-essential jobs such as doctors, nurses, and claims processors, despite the reductions. The VA's total workforce now stands at approximately 451,000 employees, down from 484,000 when Trump returned to office in January 2025.

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