Veterans Affairs Slashes 35,000 Unfilled Healthcare Roles

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs plans to cut up to 35,000 healthcare positions this month, focusing on unfilled roles such as doctors and nurses. These cuts aim to reduce the workforce by 10%, with minimal impact on operations, following earlier reductions of around 30,000 positions in July.

The Department of Veterans Affairs in the U.S. is set to reduce its healthcare workforce by as many as 35,000 positions, mostly unfilled roles like doctors and nurses, according to an internal memo. This significant reduction aims to minimize the workforce by 10%, following a previous cut of about 30,000 jobs just months ago.

Though Reuters has yet to verify the news, the Washington Post reported that the roles being cut are largely obsolete due to the waning need for COVID-era positions. A spokesperson for Veterans Affairs reassured that the downsizing would not impact the quality of care provided to Veterans, only affecting unfilled job postings.

The agency believes that by slimming down its roles, it can operate more efficiently without compromising veteran care. However, the implications of these consecutive job reductions raise questions about the future landscape of healthcare staffing within the Department.