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Trump Administration’s VA 15% Workforce Cut Raises Concerns Over PACT Act, Cancer and Brain Injury Research

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Updated May 9, 2025, 12:30 AM

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is undergoing workforce reductions, with the agency aiming to cut an additional 15% of its staff, according to VA Secretary Collins during his first congressional address. These cuts have sparked concern among lawmakers and veterans' advocates who warn that the reductions could jeopardize veteran care, including critical clinical trials for cancer treatment and research on traumatic brain injuries. Congressional Democrats have criticized the Trump administration's budget proposals, arguing that the cuts undermine the PACT Act's goal of expanding care for veterans.

Internal VA communications obtained by ProPublica reveal that cost-cutting measures have already disrupted tests for treatments related to cancer and opioid addiction. Despite these concerns, Secretary Collins has strongly denied reports that VA medical care is being reduced. The debate continues as Congress evaluates the impact of the administration's funding decisions on veterans' health services.

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#VA #Collins #Congressional Democrats #Trump #PACT Act #ProPublica #Congress

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wbaltv.com propublica.org azfamily.com n-tv.de

WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore

@wbaltv11

Congress responds to reportedly stalled VA clinical trials amid Trump admin cuts | Click on the image to read the full story https://t.co/56ukFaDPcZ

Leo Shane III

@LeoShane

House Dems presser now voicing concerns about potential/ongoing reductions to VA medical care due to department mandates and rollbacks. VA Sec Collins has strongly refuted the reports. @RepDeluzio @RepHoulahan @RepTedLieu @RepGoodlander and more. https://t.co/k4yzh3F1tF https://t.co/EnRmkowtfQ

Bill Kristol

@BillKristol

“Despite a congressional mandate to expand care for veterans, internal Veterans Affairs messages obtained by ProPublica paint a stark portrait of how chaotic cost cutting has already imperiled tests of treatments for cancer, opioid addiction and more.” https://t.co/chCmHzVnzo

Story Timeline

16 days ago•Latest version

Trump Administration’s VA 15% Workforce Cut Raises Concerns Over PACT Act, Cancer and Brain Injury Research

17 days ago•Original version

House Republicans Warn Trump Administration on Veterans Affairs Cuts Including 83,000 Worker Firings and Impact on PACT Act

Trump Administration’s VA 15% Workforce Cut Raises Concerns Over PACT Act, Cancer and Brain Injury Research

Related Prediction Markets

# of jobs Elon and DOGE cut in first 6 months?

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