Dept. of Veterans Affairs dismisses over 2,000 workers; Bath VA impacted
BATH, N.Y. (WENY) -- The Bath VA Medical Center, like other locations around the country, is facing workforce cuts as a result of federal layoffs.
On his first day in office, President Donald Trump established the Department of Government Efficiency, also known as DOGE, designed to "maximize governmental efficiency and productivity," according to an Executive Order issued Jan. 20. Much of the department's work has resulted in sweeping job cuts and government contract cancellations. On Wednesday, DOGE announced that it has saved taxpayers $65 billion in federal funds, although the claim has not been verified.
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced its first round of layoffs, impacting over 1,000 workers, on Feb. 13. A second round of layoffs was announced on Feb. 24, which let go over 1,400 employees nationwide.
At this time, it is still unknown how many employees were fired from the Bath VA Medical Center in Steuben County. WENY News reached out to spokesperson for VA Finger Lakes Health Care System, who said a "small number" of employees were let go:
“A small number of probationary staff have been dismissed. This decision will have no negative effect on Veteran health care, benefits or other services and will allow VA to focus more effectively on its core mission of serving Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors. We cannot discuss specific personnel matters due to privacy concerns.”
It is also unclear how many, if any Bath VA employees took President Trump's deferred resignation offer, which allowed federal workers to resign, while still cashing a paycheck until September.
According to the VA, the cuts only impacted probationary employees in non-mission critical positions. The department said the layoffs will save the VA over $181 million a year, to instead spend the money on health care, benefits and services for VA beneficiaries.
On Wednesday, President Trump gave the greenlight for federal agencies to start eliminating career positions in the federal government.
“We’re cutting down the size of government. We have to," Trump said during the first Cabinet meeting of his second term, according to the Associated Press. "We’re bloated. We’re sloppy. We have a lot of people that aren’t doing their job.”
Agencies have until March 13 to submit their plan for further workforce reduction, and will likely implement the plan by September.
The VA says it is refocusing on its core mission, according to new Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins who said the department will be: "providing the best possible care and benefits to Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors."
