Today, the FOVA Executive Committee, of which NAVREF chairs, released the following statement: 

The federal hiring freeze and recent mass dismissal of VA employees will immediately and adversely impact veteran care, patient safety, and research at VA medical centers nationwide. Among roles that have been impacted by these actions are physicians, nurses, patient coordinators, clinician-scientists, and other medical personnel – roles that are already experiencing critical shortages within the VA system.  

These terminations will disrupt research projects that are vital to veterans’ health, including studies on cancer treatments, opioid addiction, prosthetics, suicide prevention, and toxic exposures. The sudden halt of these initiatives not only undermines advancements in medical care, but also jeopardizes the safety and wellbeing of veterans who rely on these critical services and on access to life-saving medications and treatments. The loss of essential medical and research staff will only lead to longer wait times, reduced access to specialized care, and compromised patient safety.

We urge the Administration to stop the dismissals of key medical and research staff and exempt all roles related to medical care and research from the hiring freeze.  Ensuring that veterans have access to timely, high-quality care is paramount, and maintaining a robust workforce across VA is essential to fulfilling this commitment.  

We call upon policy makers to engage with FOVA members who represent veterans’ organizations, medical professionals, and research organizations to develop strategies that uphold the health and safety of our nation’s veterans, and prioritize the recruitment and retention of qualified medical and research personnel across the VA.

The sacrifices made by our veterans demand that we provide them with the highest standards of care.  It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the VA remains fully equipped to meet their needs without compromising on quality or safety.