VA doctors warn cuts, privatization threaten veterans' healthcare
Source: The Guardian
Wed 24 Sep 2025 08.06 EDT
Last modified on Wed 24 Sep 2025 08.08 EDT
Nearly 100 doctors who have practiced at the US Department of Veterans of Affairs (VA) issued a mass letter on Wednesday raising urgent concerns about Trump administration policies that they said will negatively affect the lives of all veterans.
The letter sent to congressional leaders, VA secretary Doug Collins and the agencys inspector general marks the first time VA physicians have spoken collectively about staffing cuts and aggressive privatization moves at the nations largest integrated healthcare system.
We have witnessed these ongoing harms and can provide evidence and testimony of their impacts, said the letter, which was signed by roughly 170 physicians, psychologists and other health workers in all.
If the trend continues, these current and former staffers said, VA facilities may be forced to close, and veterans may be forced into costlier, often overburdened community health systems ill-equipped to meet their specialized needs. Attorneys say the letter is protected under federal whistleblower law.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/24/veterans-administrations-doctors-trump-policies-harm-healthcare
Link to LETTER (PDF) - https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/68c33d76c4de3e1fbd22be2b/68d37f78728780f23bdf60a5_Lincoln%20Declaration%209-24%20update%20final.pdf

youssef5070
(13 posts)This letter is nothing short of a red flag for every American who claims to support our veterans. When nearly 170 VA professionals doctors, psychologists, caregivers risk their careers to blow the whistle on reckless policies, we better listen.
Privatizing veteran healthcare isn't "reform" it's abandonment. Forcing veterans into overloaded, profit-driven systems that lack the specialized care VA provides is a betrayal, not a solution. These are men and women who served their country and this is how we repay them?
The Trump-era push to gut the VA, slash staffing, and hand over services to private contractors doesnt just weaken the system it endangers lives. And lets be honest: this isnt about improving care, its about lining the pockets of private healthcare executives.
If we allow this trend to continue, were complicit. Congress needs to act not with more empty words, but with legislation that protects and invests in the VA system. Veterans dont need slogans. They need care. They need specialists. They need stability.
And they deserve a country that doesnt abandon them when the cameras are off.
not fooled
(6,478 posts)How anyone in the military could vote for this dangerous goon is a mystery to me. Anyone who bothered to look at his history KNEW that if he got back in the WH he would seek to slash services to veterans and privatize the VA.
Traildogbob
(11,902 posts)Euthanize them, especially homeless vets.
BumRushDaShow
(160,763 posts)Traildogbob
(11,902 posts)Vance/KKKarolyin like shit eating grin. And their Gawd fully supporting them all.
James48
(4,961 posts)The very fact that half the signers felt it necessary to sign an anonymous tells you how far our Trump government has come in implementing fascism.
Trump must be impeached and removed from office.
The Wizard
(13,408 posts)of VA healthcare for several years. As of late the care is declining. This may be Trump's strategy to shutter the VA and turn over veteran's health care to the bribing class.
They eliminated oral surgery and sent me to an oral surgeon outside the VA. The dental care I've gotten from the VA is excellent. They have the best dentists I've ever had.
I tried to get Flu and Covid vaccines and was told to wait until next month. I went to CVS and got both vaccines in five minutes.
In short, Trump is a thief who will profit from sabotaging VA healthcare.
BlueWavePsych
(3,170 posts)