WASHINGTON D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) led the Democratic members of Arizona’s Congressional delegation in writing to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins to demand that the administration reverse their proposed staffing and benefits cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Stanton was joined by Democratic U.S. Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly, and U.S. Representative Yassamin Ansari.
“We write with concern about reports that the Veterans Affairs (VA) Phoenix Health Care System plans to lay off 15% of its staff—around 800 employees—including providers and support staff as part of VA’s planned reduction in force,” the members write. “This will lead to delays in care that will hurt Arizona veterans and erode their trust in their care.”
The letter details that previous occupational shortages outlined by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) have already affected care quality by leading to waiting times above the standard of care. The lawmakers also emphasize that cutting VA staff to pre-2019 levels will affect the more than 9,000 Arizona veterans who enrolled in VA health care under the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics, or PACT Act—a bipartisan bill passed in 2022 that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.
The full letter is available HERE.