Report on the Problems of Filling Vacancies in Veterans' Hospitals

• Increase in staff shortages in hospitals for veterans.
• 94% of institutions reported a shortage of medical professionals.
• The Trump administration considers the report unreliable.

Norfolk, Virginia. In state medical centers that serve veterans, there has been a noted increase in serious problems with staffing shortages. Many doctors are facing difficulties in filling vacancies for physicians, medical specialists, and psychologists, along with the report from the independent oversight body of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs.

The report, published on September 12, 2025, is based on surveys conducted in early February and at the beginning of March in 139 health system facilities serving veterans. Serious staffing shortages do not always indicate the presence of vacancies but point to specific professions that are difficult to fill.

The surveys were conducted several weeks after it became known about plans to cut 80,000 jobs in the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, including through the so-called efficiency office. Subsequently, this figure was reduced to 30,000 jobs, which are planned to be cut by the end of the financial year on March 30.

The Trump administration stated that the data from the surveys is unreliable, as it does not reflect actual vacancies, which, according to officials, correspond to historically significant levels. However, Democrats warn that veterans may not receive the necessary medical assistance due to difficulties in filling vacancies.

The surveys showed a 50% increase in reports of serious staffing shortages for specific professions, such as clinicians, as well as non-clinicians. Nearly 94% of institutions reported a shortage of medical professionals, while 79% reported a shortage of specialists. These serious shortages have been persisting since 2014.

The press secretary of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs emphasized that the report is not based on vacancies and that it is an unreliable indicator of staffing shortages. He noted that the level of vacancies for physicians and specialists stands at 14% and 10% respectively, which is lower than in most other medical systems.

The political director of the American Federation of Government Employees asserts that the results of the surveys reflect the shortcomings of the Trump administration's personnel policies and plans for privatization of the Ministry. He believes that this leads to delays in appointments and a lack of specialists.

Recently, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs announced the suspension of collective agreements for most employees, which may worsen the recruitment of new staff. Senator Mark Warner stated that the administration is hindering the work of government employees and, as a result, veterans are unable to receive the necessary assistance.

Tags: USA/Politics