By Blake Leitch, Veteran, VSO
As a combat-wounded veteran who has relied on the VA healthcare system for nearly 20 years, I’ve experienced its challenges firsthand. At the same time, my professional life has been deeply intertwined with the veterans’ realm for just as long, giving me a unique perspective on the system’s strengths and weaknesses. For years, I’ve heard my fair share of complaints about the VA—long wait times, inconsistent care, and a lack of accountability. These issues are not just anecdotes; they are systemic problems that have persisted for far too long. That’s why I see the VA’s recent decision to cut 80,000 jobs not as a necessity, but as an opportunity—a chance to reimagine and rebuild a system that truly serves veterans with the quality and respect they deserve.
The VA is one of the largest healthcare systems in the country, serving millions of veterans annually. Its size, while impressive, has often been its Achilles’ heel. Bloated administrative structures and outdated processes have hindered its ability to deliver timely, high-quality care. As someone who has relied on the VA for my own healthcare needs, I’ve seen how these inefficiencies can directly impact veterans’ lives. While cutting jobs is undoubtedly a difficult decision, it’s an opportunity to refocus resources where they matter most: directly on veterans. This is a chance to create a leaner, more agile organization that prioritizes patient outcomes over bureaucratic red tape.
However, this moment isn’t just about reducing staff—it’s about rethinking how the VA operates. It’s an opportunity to invest in innovation, modernize processes, and empower the remaining workforce to deliver exceptional care. One way to ensure this transformation is successful is by implementing immediate, on-site patient satisfaction surveys after every appointment. These surveys would provide real-time feedback from veterans about their experiences, allowing leadership to identify which providers are excelling and which are falling short. This data-driven approach would foster accountability and incentivize staff to deliver the best possible care.
To build trust and ensure transparency, these survey results should be reviewed and evaluated in partnership with veterans themselves. Local Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) could play a critical role in this process. By involving VSOs, the VA would not only gain valuable insights from those who understand veterans’ needs best but also demonstrate a commitment to openness and collaboration. Veterans deserve to know that their voices are being heard and that their feedback is driving meaningful change.
Critics of the job cuts may argue that reducing staff will exacerbate existing problems, such as long wait times and overburdened providers. This is about reallocating resources to create a system that works smarter, not harder. By investing in technology, streamlining processes, and focusing on high-performing staff, the VA can do more with less. This is an opportunity to shift the focus from quantity to quality, ensuring that every interaction a veteran has with the VA is efficient, effective, and compassionate.
As a combat-wounded veteran, I know how much the VA’s mission matters. It’s not just a healthcare system; it’s a promise to those who have served and sacrificed for our country. For too long, that promise has gone unfulfilled for far too many veterans. The decision to cut 80,000 jobs is undoubtedly controversial, but it’s also a chance to reshape the VA into a system that truly prioritizes veterans. By pairing these changes with robust patient satisfaction measures and community-driven transparency, the VA can finally deliver on its promise to provide world-class care to those who have earned it.
This is a pivotal moment for the VA. Let’s seize it as an opportunity to build a system that veterans can be proud of—one that honors their service with the quality and respect they deserve. As both a veteran and an advocate, I believe this is our chance to transform the VA into the organization it was always meant to be.