We are extremely pleased Acting VA Secretary Robert Snyder has issued guidance exempting from the federal hiring freeze positions critical to meeting the health care and burial needs of our nation’s veterans. As the department works to decrease wait times and improve patient satisfaction and trust, it is only right to ensure their access to care is not disrupted due to understaffing.

At the same time, we remain concerned over the possible detriment the hiring freeze could cause veterans awaiting disability claims or appeals decisions through the Veterans Benefits Administration. There have been notable improvements in the speed and accuracy of these processes, and those gains could be adversely affected by a prolonged loss of manpower.

There are more than 389,000 disability claims pending and more than 450,000 veterans awaiting appeals decisions—many seriously ill and injured—and delaying these decisions can negatively impact eligibility for the health care and benefits they earned. We hope President Trump will consider the potential impact this freeze will have on veterans and fully exempt the VA.

 

Washington Headquarters Executive Director Garry Augustine

Garry Augustine

Washington Headquarters Executive Director