Letter to the Editor: Working for our nation’s veterans

For the past decade, I have been appointed to the national veterans and military services committee. We have worked tirelessly to pass the Pact Act and were successful in doing so in 2022. 2023 was the year that the claims processing department was ramped up to 100 percent and things were coming together for our nation’s veterans and the claim process. There are representatives from more than 30 states that meet twice a year to organize and lobby for veterans’ issues. Each of us carrying a unique perspective but the same desire to help our local veterans. Having just returned from the latest conference, I would like to give a brief update.

On the Friday before we assembled, it was announced that Doge was planning to eliminate 16,000 positions from the VA. If enacted, that would lead to serious disruptions in the VA system nationwide. We met with the undersecretary of the VA on Sunday for an update and discussion. When we presented the Doge job cut concerns he stated that he understood the apprehension but they had been assured that the cuts would not affect the claims processors. One of our members is a retired Colonel and lives in South Dakota. He shared that just the week prior, 123 employees of the Sioux Falls Veterans hospital were arbitrarily let go. This included radiology techs, nurses, clerical staff and a couple of doctors. That sent their hospital into disarray including much confusion and cancelled appointments. Some of those appointments had been scheduled for months. His veterans would now be subjected to longer waits or traveling five to six hours for medical care.

On Monday we participated in a presentation with newly appointed VA Secretary Doug Collins. Secretary Collins is a current Colonel in the Air Guard and a former congressman from Georgia. He gave us some examples of changes in the processes that should help streamline claims and create other efficiencies. He reminded us of his congressional service and how that would help him not only speak veteran but “speak hill” meaning Capitol Hill legislative talk. We felt a bit more encouraged after that presentation.

On Tuesday we met with Iowa Senator Joni Ernst. Senator Ernst sits on not only the Senate Veterans Affairs committee but the Doge committee as well. Sitting across the table from the Senator, I shared our concerns over the staff cuts centering on the quick processing of claims and the lowering of the veteran’s suicide rate. She was gracious in her responses and assured us that even though the administration might plan to make cuts, congress controls the purse strings. We left with a promise that the VA would not bear the full brunt of Doge as it was presented.

On Wednesday it was released that the Doge cuts to VA would actually amount to 80,000 positions, not just 16,000. You can imagine our dismay nationwide when that information went out. Phones are going to go unanswered. Claims will go unprocessed and stalled in the system. Appointments will be postponed or just straight out cancelled. It will prove devastating to all aspects of the VA system that so many of us, and you, have worked for.

I understand that efficiencies should always be explored, and tax dollars saved. This isn’t the way to do it. Our veterans deserve better and should not be used as just “numbers” in a federal budget game. I am not sure how this situation will change by the time this letter prints. I would respectfully request that each of you pick up your phone and call our Iowa Senators Ernst and Grassley. Let them know that Veterans should come first, and these cuts should not be arbitrarily applied to the detriment of our nation’s vets. Ernst 202-224-3254 and Grassley 202-224-6020. Reach out to me if you would like to discuss this in more detail. Thanks for the consideration. Our veterans deserve the best.

Doug Bishop

Baxter