The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has abandoned plans for mass layoffs of 83,000 employees, but internal documents indicate efforts to achieve workforce cuts through attrition. The original plan proposed significant reductions, including 20,000 clinical staff, which would have affected doctors, nurses, and support roles. VA Secretary Doug Collins emphasized that essential healthcare roles would be preserved while targeting non-essential positions to save about $2 billion annually.
The VA now plans to eliminate 30,000 positions by the end of fiscal year 2025, having already seen a reduction of 17,000 positions due to attrition. Concerns remain among employees about potential layoffs, as discussions continue about restructuring the Veterans Integrated Services Networks (VISNs). Recruitment has significantly decreased, and the VA aims to maintain patient care quality despite these staffing challenges.
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