Overview
- Signatures grew to about 350 after the letter’s release, up from more than 160 initial signers that included 69 active VA physicians.
- The letter flags three risks: staff reductions without impact reviews, administrative intrusion into clinical decisions, and rapid expansion of community care that could drain VA’s direct system.
- The VA confirms a target to eliminate 30,000 jobs by September 30 after reducing headcount by 17,000 from January to June, as the inspector general reported “severe” hospital shortages in August.
- Congress advanced a budget moving $12 billion from VA direct care to private providers, and signers attached studies and audits they say show better outcomes and lower costs under VA care.
- VA officials defend the policies as expanding choice and speeding access, citing the end of a second‑physician referral review, claims of lower benefits backlogs, and an $800 million facility maintenance realignment.