Overview
- The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee’s Democratic staff reports more than 40,000 VA employees left in fiscal 2025, nearly 90% from healthcare roles, producing a first net workforce decline and leaving an estimated 1.2 million veterans without primary care providers.
- New-patient mental health waits now average 35 days nationwide, exceed VA standards in many states, and reached 121 days at a Ventura, California clinic after seven of 12 providers departed.
- Reported losses include roughly 1,000 physicians, 3,000 registered nurses, 700 social workers, 1,500 schedulers, and 1,500 Veterans Benefits Administration claims examiners.
- The report details broader disruptions such as appeals taking up to 3,541 days, 75,000 students with unpaid education benefits, and foreclosures following the cancellation of a mortgage assistance program.
- VA leaders dispute the report’s conclusions, citing a 57% reduction in the benefits backlog, record claims processing, new clinics and expanded hours, as lawmakers from both parties press for data and plan hearings with Secretary Doug Collins.