Dem
47
GOP
53
Elon Musk has ordered V.A. Secretary Doug Collins to fire 80,000 of the 480,000 people who work for the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. Collins seems enthusiastic about it. But veterans are highly respected in America, so degrading the care they get could backfire spectacularly, especially since many veterans support Donald Trump.
Even though only a fraction of that number of people have already been fired, the ripple effects are already being felt. Studies of experimental treatments are being interrupted, supplies aren't being purchased at V.A. facilities because the people who do that have been fired, appointments can't be made because clerical staff is gone, rides can't be scheduled, therapists who work emergency hotlines can't be reached, and more. In addition, 875 contracts have been abruptly canceled although, in a few cases, they have been reinstated, since some of the canceled contracts were deemed mission critical. In short, there is chaos at some V.A. facilities already and it will only get worse as more people are terminated.
Although the V.A. is known for its 170 hospitals nationwide, doing scientific research that could help veterans is also part of its core mission. Much of that research relates to traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries that veterans may have sustained while in combat. This research is top-notch and not often duplicated at universities because the V.A. does it so well. Many of the cuts will doom research projects already in progress. At least 300 projects providing new treatments to 10,000 veterans are likely to be killed because Musk has decided that they are waste and fraud.
When 80,000 people are gone, the effects will be dramatic and veterans and their families will be furious. They will contact their representatives, senators, and the media with horror stories. Democrats will be happy to publicize cases where some veteran who was awarded medals for bravery and performing difficult missions in combat has been denied life-saving care due to Musk's cuts. There could be a lot of backlash among Trump supporters. (V)