VA nurses to detail impact of cuts and anti-worker policies

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On Tuesday, May 20, a virtual congressional briefing will be held where registered nurses from various Veterans Health Administration (VA) facilities will discuss the current state of veterans' health care, emphasizing the adverse effects of staffing cuts and the administration's measures to limit nurses' advocacy, as announced by the National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU).

This briefing will feature stories from participating nurses, including Irma Westmoreland, RN from Augusta, Ga., and Sharda Fornnarino, RN from Denver, Colo., highlighting the critical need for safe staffing levels and the importance of advocating for veterans' health care quality.

The event is open to members of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs committees, with an invitation extended for media participation and a Q&A session.

Nurses like Fornnarino express deep concerns regarding planned staff reductions by VA Secretary Doug Collins, which could reach 70,000 to 80,000 employees. This potentially devastating cut comes at a time when the VA already faces significant nursing shortages, as reported by the Inspector General, with 82% of facilities struggling with staffing issues amidst rising veteran enrollment.

The briefing is timely, as nurses argue that planned cuts to VA resources may be part of broader efforts to privatize veterans' care, pushing more patients into the unregulated private sector. The nurses highlight their concerns regarding both staffing and advocacy rights, particularly in light of a recent executive order that they believe aims to undermine collective bargaining rights for federal workers.

In support of their advocacy efforts, nurses are also backing the VA Employee Fairness Act, introduced on May 7, to secure full bargaining rights for VA clinical staff, which are currently limited concerning critical issues like staffing and workplace conditions. The lack of these rights poses risks to nurses like intimidation or retaliation, which can discourage them from raising vital patient safety concerns.

As the focus on nurses' challenges and the implications for veterans' care continues, the anticipated congressional briefing seeks to give voice to those on the front lines of veterans' health care, driving home the message that the quality of care for veterans hangs in the balance.

For those interested in attending the briefing, registration is required to obtain the Zoom link.