TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The Department of Veterans Affairs is laying off another 80,000 employees nationwide.
After an internal memo leaked Wednesday, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins released a video on the official Department of Veterans Affairs YouTube, confirming the cuts.
“Our goal is to reduce V.A. employment level to our 2019 end-strength numbers—roughly 398,000 employees— from our current level of approximately 470,000 employees," Collins said. "Now that’s a 15% decrease. We’re going to accomplish this without making cuts to healthcare or benefits to veterans and VA beneficiaries.”
Some veterans aren't sure that's possible.
Watch the video for a reaction from Southern Arizona Navy veteran and advocate.
If you're a veteran looking to get VA services in Tucson, you can find current wait times here.
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Alex Dowd is a multimedia journalist at KGUN 9, where her work combines her two favorite hobbies: talking to new people and learning about the community around her. Her goal is to eventually meet every single person in Tucson. Share your story ideas with Alex via email, alex.dowd@kgun9.com, or connecting on Instagram or X.
