Meeks, NY Delegation Draft Letter to VA Secretary Collins to Oppose Proposed Staffing Cuts and Budget Changes

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) joined 14 of his Democratic colleagues in the New York Congressional delegation in sending a letter to Secretary Doug Collins of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), to strongly oppose the proposed staffing cuts and budget changes to the agency that will threaten the well-being of those who have served the nation. Standing united with his peers, Rep. Meeks demands that Secretary Collins immediately reverse course on his plans to reshape the VA to the detriment of our veterans.

"Veterans hospitals play a critical role in supporting individuals who served our country," Congressman Meeks said. "These facilities are not just places for medical treatment, they serve as lifelines providing specialized care tailored to the unique needs of veterans. It is unfathomable that the Trump Administration is willing to cut the budget and scale back on the trained professionals who understand what patients are going through and can offer effective treatment to our war heroes."

With plans to downsize the workforce by over 15%, proposed cuts will force veterans to withstand longer appointment wait times, benefit delays, and reduced patient-provider interactions. As healthcare, housing, and other veteran services continue to be defunded and stripped of support, these existing struggles will only be exacerbated following the implementation of Secretary Collins' proposed changes. The lawmakers argue that these mass firings would threaten the department's fundamental purpose-to provide veterans with timely, quality, equitable, and individual-centered healthcare, benefits, and housing resources.

The St. Albans VA Medical Center stands in New York's 5th congressional district, providing veterans with primary and specialty healthcare services. Proposed cuts will threaten the accessibility of timely and comprehensive healthcare for constituents of the 5th District. Congressman Meeks condemns this looming threat and urges Secretary Collins to consider the consequences of his proposed changes to the VA to protect our veteran residents and those across the country who deserve efficient and stable support.

A total of 15 lawmakers signed the letter. In addition to Rep. Meeks, the following members joined in signing: Representatives Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), George Latimer (NY-16), John Mannion (NY-22), Grace Meng (NY-06), Joseph Morelle (NY-25), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Josh Riley (NY-19), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07).

Full text of the letter is provided below:

Dear Secretary Collins:

We write as Members of the New York Congressional delegation to strongly oppose the proposed staffing cuts and benefits changes to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) that threaten the well-being of those who have bravely served our nation. This proposal would cut 80,000 employees - over 15% of the VA's total workforce - who help provide health care, housing, and other services to our veterans,[1] including more than a quarter of whom are veterans themselves.[2] We urge you to immediately reverse course on the proposed firings and ensure that the more than 688,000 veterans in New York State receive timely care, benefits, and peace of mind.

VHA facilities reported a total of 2,959 severe occupational staffing shortages nationwide in fiscal year 2024. New York facilities reported at least 143 severe staffing shortages.[3] New York's VA facilities have already suffered after the dismissal of more than 1,000 probationary employees nationwide.[4]

These shortages and firings have directly affected care quality by leading to reduced patient-provider interaction, longer wait times for appointments, delays in benefits, and increased workloads for existing staff. Ultimately, these conditions compromise the level of care veterans receive. In February, the Castle Point VA in the Hudson Valley temporarily closed due to inadequate staffing, with employees citing the federal hiring freeze as a key roadblock to getting the providers needed for the community.[5] At the Bronx VA, 20-year veteran Luke Graziani was abruptly fired weeks before his probationary period ended, leaving a vacuum in internal and external communications for the facility. While we are glad to see Mr. Graziani reinstated, the chaos and recklessness of these actions have created a widespread atmosphere of fear and instability across the state.[6]

The PACT Act was transformational legislation that expanded eligibility for VA healthcare and benefits for veterans with toxic exposures during their military service. Since passage, over 796,000 veterans have enrolled in VA healthcare with over 4.8 million claims received.[7] To handle the surge in veterans becoming eligible for care, the VA needed to hire more employees to process claims, provide healthcare, and manage the expanded services. Cutting VA employee levels back to pre-PACT Act levels would be detrimental to veterans' care and benefits, leading to longer wait times for appointments, claims processing, increased costs in care, and a significant decrease in mental health services.[8]

The New York Congressional delegation has consistently fought for public, high-quality, accessible health care for our veterans. In New York, we have worked to keep facilities open, expand services, and fight for critical investments to ensure our veterans receive the care they deserve. These firings will threaten the agency's core mission to provide quality healthcare, timely delivery of benefits, and housing resources for our veterans. It is the federal government's responsibility to "honor the contract," - we must honor that commitment by providing the care, benefits, and opportunities every veteran has earned through their sacrifice.

As Members of the New York Congressional delegation, we stand united in demanding that the administration reverse course on your proposed staffing and benefits cuts that will cripple the livelihoods of our veteran constituents.

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