Latest news with #Department of Veterans Affairs
Yahoo
12-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
VA hospitals are finding it harder to fill jobs, watchdog says
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Government-run medical centers serving the nation's veterans have reported an increase in severe staffing shortages, with many hospitals having trouble filling jobs for doctors, nurses and psychologists, according to an independent watchdog for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Tuesday's report from the VA's Office of Inspector General is based on surveys from late March and early April that were taken at 139 Veterans Health Administration facilities. Severe staffing shortages are not necessarily an indication of vacancies but refer to particular occupations that are difficult to fill. The surveys were taken just weeks after it was reported in early March that the VA had planned to cut 80,000 jobs — out of 484,000 — through the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE. The VA later reduced the figure to nearly 30,000 jobs to be cut by this fiscal year's end on Sept. 30. President Donald Trump's administration said Tuesday that the surveys are unreliable because they do not reflect actual vacancies, which VA officials said were in line with historical averages. But Democratic lawmakers warned that veterans won't get the health care they need as VA positions become harder to fill. The surveys reflected a 50% increase in the reporting of severe staffing shortages for specific jobs, both for clinical occupations that include doctors and psychologists and for non-clinical jobs that include police and custodial workers. Nearly all of the facilities — 94% — reported a shortage for medical officer occupations that include doctors, while 79% reported shortages for nurses. The report noted that severe shortages for medical officers and nurses have been identified every year in the report since 2014. Pete Kasperowicz, the VA's press secretary, stressed in an email that the report is not based on vacancies and is therefore 'not a reliable indicator of staffing shortages.' 'The report simply lists occupations facilities feel are difficult for which to recruit and retain, so the results are completely subjective, not standardized and unreliable,' Kasperowicz wrote. He said that vacancy rates for doctors and nurses are 14% and 10%, respectively, which he said are lower than most other health care systems and in line with 'normal VA historical averages.' But Jacqueline Simon, policy director for the American Federation of Government Employees, said the surveys reflect the Trump administration's profound hostility toward the federal workforce and what she said are its plans to ultimately privatize the VA. 'This is a deliberate effort to incapacitate and to undermine veterans' support for and approval of the care they receive in VA hospitals and clinics,' Simon said. 'They'll have to wait much longer for appointments. There won't be specialists available. They'll have no choice but to go to the private sector.' Simon also noted the VA's announcement last week that it was terminating collective bargaining agreements for most VA bargaining-unit employees, which could further hurt recruitment. The VA said in a news release that the move will 'make it easier for VA leaders to promote high-performing employees, hold poor performers accountable, and improve benefits and services to America's Veterans.' But U.S. Sen. Mark Warner said in a news release Tuesday that the Trump administration has made it harder for public servants to do their jobs 'and ultimately harder for veterans to get the care they've earned.' 'We also know from recent jobs reports that applications to work at the VA are plummeting," said Warner, a Democrat who represents the veteran-dense state of Virginia. 'How do skyrocketing staffing shortages and declining applicant pools make it more 'efficient' for veterans to access the care and services they deserve? The answer is: they don't.' Ben Finley, The Associated Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Independent
12-08-2025
- Health
- The Independent
VA hospitals are finding it harder to fill jobs, watchdog says
Government-run medical centers serving the nation's veterans have reported an increase in severe staffing shortages, with many hospitals having trouble filling jobs for doctors, nurses and psychologists, according to an independent watchdog for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Tuesday's report from the VA's Office of Inspector General is based on surveys from late March and early April that were taken at 139 Veterans Health Administration facilities. Severe staffing shortages are not necessarily an indication of vacancies but refer to particular occupations that are difficult to fill. The surveys were taken just weeks after it was reported in early March that the VA had planned to cut 80,000 jobs — out of 484,000 — through the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE. The VA later reduced the figure to nearly 30,000 jobs to be cut by this fiscal year's end on Sept. 30. President Donald Trump 's administration said Tuesday that the surveys are unreliable because they do not reflect actual vacancies, which VA officials said were in line with historical averages. But Democratic lawmakers warned that veterans won't get the health care they need as VA positions become harder to fill. The surveys reflected a 50% increase in the reporting of severe staffing shortages for specific jobs, both for clinical occupations that include doctors and psychologists and for non-clinical jobs that include police and custodial workers. Nearly all of the facilities — 94% — reported a shortage for medical officer occupations that include doctors, while 79% reported shortages for nurses. The report noted that severe shortages for medical officers and nurses have been identified every year in the report since 2014. Pete Kasperowicz, the VA's press secretary, stressed in an email that the report is not based on vacancies and is therefore 'not a reliable indicator of staffing shortages.' 'The report simply lists occupations facilities feel are difficult for which to recruit and retain, so the results are completely subjective, not standardized and unreliable,' Kasperowicz wrote. He said that vacancy rates for doctors and nurses are 14% and 10%, respectively, which he said are lower than most other health care systems and in line with 'normal VA historical averages.' But Jacqueline Simon, policy director for the American Federation of Government Employees, said the surveys reflect the Trump administration's profound hostility toward the federal workforce and what she said are its plans to ultimately privatize the VA. 'This is a deliberate effort to incapacitate and to undermine veterans' support for and approval of the care they receive in VA hospitals and clinics,' Simon said. 'They'll have to wait much longer for appointments. There won't be specialists available. They'll have no choice but to go to the private sector.' Simon also noted the VA's announcement last week that it was terminating collective bargaining agreements for most VA bargaining-unit employees, which could further hurt recruitment. The VA said in a news release that the move will 'make it easier for VA leaders to promote high-performing employees, hold poor performers accountable, and improve benefits and services to America's Veterans.' But U.S. Sen. Mark Warner said in a news release Tuesday that the Trump administration has made it harder for public servants to do their jobs 'and ultimately harder for veterans to get the care they've earned.' 'We also know from recent jobs reports that applications to work at the VA are plummeting," said Warner, a Democrat who represents the veteran-dense state of Virginia. 'How do skyrocketing staffing shortages and declining applicant pools make it more 'efficient' for veterans to access the care and services they deserve? The answer is: they don't.'
Washington Post
12-08-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
Every VA medical center has severe staffing shortages, audit finds
The independent watchdog for the Department of Veterans Affairs said the agency's health system is facing a severe staffing shortage of clinical and nonclinical workers that has worsened since last year — at the same time the agency has shed tens of thousands of workers and recruited fewer medical workers. The inspector general's office released its annual report Tuesday, revealing the extent of staffing shortages that have plagued the agency for years and have worsened this year. All of the Veterans Health Administration's 139 medical centers reported lacking workers, and reports of severe shortages increased 50 percent from the previous fiscal year.
CNN
07-08-2025
- Business
- CNN
VA terminates key union contracts
The Department of Veterans Affairs is terminating collective bargaining agreements with several key government unions representing its employees. In an announcement Wednesday, the VA said the move is in response to an executive order President Donald Trump signed in March that nixed collective bargaining rights for many federal workers in the name of national security. The agency's decision comes after a federal appellate court lifted a lower court ban on the ending of union contracts on Friday, although the Trump administration previously issued guidance that agencies should not terminate any collective bargaining agreements until litigation challenging the order is over. 'Too often, unions that represent VA employees fight against the best interests of Veterans while protecting and rewarding bad workers,' VA Secretary Doug Collins said in a statement. 'We're making sure VA resources and employees are singularly focused on the job we were sent here to do: providing top-notch care and service to those who wore the uniform.' The VA said it notified five major unions that their contracts for 'bargaining-unit employees' were being terminated: the American Federation of Government Employees; the National Association of Government Employees; the National Federation of Federal Employees; the National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United; and the Service Employees International Union. Contracts covering the roughly 4,000 VA police officers, firefighters or security guards represented by those unions will remain in place, the agency said. The VA said the move will allow staff to 'spend more time with Veterans,' noting that in 2024, nearly 2,000 union employees 'spent more than 750,000 hours of work on taxpayer-funded union time.' Without those obligations, 'those hours can now be used to serve Veterans instead of union bosses,' the agency said. The move will also open up more physical space for veterans' needs, the VA said. 'More than 187,000 square feet of its office and clinical space is currently being used by union representatives free of charge,' the agency said, adding that it has 'cost VA millions of dollars in lost rent and expenses.' The agency also says labor contracts have restricted managers' ability to hire, promote and reward high performing employees and to hold poor performers accountable. The move was met with outrage by at least two of the top unions representing VA employees. AFGE, which represents 320,000 employees at the agency, said it is assessing its options to challenge Collins' move. 'Secretary Collins' decision to rip up the negotiated union contract for majority of its workforce is another clear example of retaliation against AFGE members for speaking out against the illegal, anti-worker, and anti-veteran policies of this administration,' AFGE National President Everett Kelley said in a statement. He noted that Collins' action is 'inconsistent' with Office of Personnel Management guidance instructing agencies to hold off on ending union agreements while the legal challenges played out. Those losing their representation by AFGE and several other unions include nurses, doctors, housekeepers, maintenance, food service workers, lawyers, mental health specialists, cemetery workers and others, according to AFGE. NNU, the largest union of registered nurses in the country, said the VA's announcement to terminate its contract and those of the other unions 'is an attack on those who dedicate their lives in the service of others.' 'We know this administration is hellbent on silencing nurses and other VA workers to steamroll the destruction of the VA,' the nurses' union said in a statement to CNN. 'It is because of VA nurses' ability to speak up about patient safety through our union that our nation's veterans receive the highest level of care.' NNU says it will 'continue to pursue legal action with our fellow unions.' The department's move comes just days after a federal appeals court in California lifted a lower court's preliminary injunction that had blocked several federal agencies from canceling certain union contracts. Trump's expansive executive order applies to more than 1 million federal workers across many agencies, including the departments of State, Defense, Justice and Health and Human Services. The order is aimed at stopping federal unions that have 'declared war on President Trump's agenda,' according to a White House fact sheet. It noted that the largest union – AFGE – has filed many grievances to 'block Trump policies.' 'President Trump refuses to let union obstruction interfere with his efforts to protect Americans and our national interests,' the fact sheet said. The two largest federal employee unions – AFGE and the National Treasury Employees Union – sued in separate courts, saying Trump was retaliating for their advocacy for their members and for federal services. The unions were initially successful in blocking the order in separate federal district courts, but they each lost on the appellate level. NNU, as well as other unions, joined AFGE in its lawsuit against the executive order.
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How to get a VA home loan
Key takeaways VA loans are available to active-duty military personnel, veterans and surviving spouses who need to finance a home purchase. You must provide a VA-approved lender with a certificate of eligibility (CEO) to prove you qualify for a VA loan before you can get preapproved. The VA loan process also involves getting your new home appraised, going through mortgage underwriting and closing on the loan. Shop Top Mortgage Rates Personalized rates in minutes A quicker path to financial freedom Your Path to Homeownership Eligible veterans, active-duty personnel and surviving spouses looking for a home can use a VA loan for financing. These types of mortgages, which are guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and available through lenders nationwide, tend to offer attractive fixed-rate loans with no money down. VA loans are also known for their more flexible credit score requirements. Here's what to know about getting a VA loan. How to get a VA loan: Step-by-step The typical VA loan process follows these steps: Step 1: Determine if you are eligible for a VA loan Before you start shopping for a VA loan, figure out if you meet the VA loan eligibility requirements, which include: Length of service: For active-duty service members, you are eligible if you have served for at least 90 days continuously (without a break in service). For veterans, National Guard members and Reserve members, the requirements depend on when you served. You can find this information on the VA website. Credit score: While the government sets no minimum credit score for getting a VA loan, the individual lender, which approves the mortgage, probably does. If your credit score isn't in great shape — less than 600, for example — you'll want to take steps to improve it or shop around for lenders that review applicants with 'fair' credit. Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio: You must demonstrate that you have sufficient income to cover your monthly debts, and an acceptable DTI ratio, usually no more than 41 percent, although some lenders might go slightly higher. You will also need to get a certificate of eligibility, or COE, since it shows that you meet the initial eligibility criteria for the loan. To get a COE, check the eBenefits portal on the website or contact the VA for help. Borrowers may also be able to apply through their lender. To obtain the COE, you might need to present the following documents: Driver's license or other government-issued ID Recent financial information, including W-2s, pay stubs and bank statements For active-duty members, a signed statement of service For veterans, discharge or separation papers (also known as form DD214) For surviving spouses, a marriage certificate or license In addition, there are restrictions on how to use a VA home loan. You must intend to use the home as a primary residence and occupy it within 60 days after closing, although the VA will consider timelines of up to 12 months based on your unique circumstances. Step 2: Shop around for a VA-approved lender Once you've determined your eligibility, you will need to find a mortgage lender that participates in the VA loan program. If you need help finding a VA-approved lender, you can contact a local Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative who can provide a list of lenders in your area. Once connected with a loan officer, they can help you choose the best VA loan type for your situation, whether that's a purchase loan, a streamline refinance (IRRRL), a cash-out refinance or a Native American Direct Loan. They can also help you identify the documents needed to submit and what size loan you can qualify for. Bankrate insight Be sure to shop around, since different lenders can offer deals that vary by interest rate, closing costs and discount points. Step 3. Get preapproved for a VA loan The next step to getting a VA loan involves obtaining a mortgage preapproval. The document, given to you by a lender, indicates how much, in principle, a lender will lend you. It shows sellers you're serious about purchasing a home and that lenders deem you creditworthy to borrow money from them. While it's not a guarantee of the mortgage — for that, you need to present a specific property for appraisal and possibly additional documentation — it's an important first step. Here's what the pre-approval process looks like: First, you reach out to a VA-approved lender, submit an application and provide financial documentation, such as bank statements and past tax returns. The lender then runs a hard credit check to see your credit score and determine your creditworthiness. The lender assesses all the provided information and determines how much money you are eligible to borrow, and at what interest rate. If the lender decides you're preapproved for a mortgage, it'll provide you with a preapproval letter. Step 4. Find your home and make an offer Once you know how much money you are preapproved to borrow, you can start shopping for homes. Work with a real estate agent who understands VA loans; better still if this person specializes in helping members of the military. Veteran-friendly agents can help you understand what to look for in terms of maximizing your benefits. Your agent's job is to help you craft a strong offer and formulate a sound negotiation strategy. Once you've got an accepted offer and hammered out the details, you'll sign a purchase and sale agreement with the seller. Don't forget contingencies: These can include how long you have to secure financing, the amount of earnest money you'll need and the right to have a home inspection. It can also include sellers paying for some or all of the VA closing costs. What is a VA amendatory clause? Also known as an escape clause, a VA amendatory clause is a type of contingency that is designed to protect you if an appraiser values the property less than the asking price. For example, if you make an offer to buy a home for $300,000 but an appraiser determines it's worth $280,000, an amendatory clause gives you the right to back out of the deal without losing your earnest money deposit. It also provides the ability for you to make up the appraisal gap by making a larger down payment, if you can afford to. Step 5. Get a VA home appraisal and inspection A VA-approved appraiser will determine the home's value. This person will also help you assess whether a property meets the VA's property condition requirements, or Minimum Property Requirements, and VA home appraisal guidelines. This is also the stage where you'll commission a home inspection if that was agreed upon in the purchase and sale agreement. VA loans do not require a home inspection, but it's generally recommended that you don't skip this step. You'll be able to get to know your property better and back out of the deal if you can't get the seller to agree to make certain repairs before closing. During the inspection, the home inspector will ensure that the home meets the Minimum Property Requirements. Some of the things on this list include: Space requirements Property access and encroachments Hazards Utilities Swimming pools Home structure Signs of deterioration Proximity to airports Step 6. Complete the mortgage underwriting process Your bank or lender's underwriters will need additional documentation to evaluate your loan eligibility and make sure that you're 'cleared to close.' Documents you might need to submit include: Proof of income Bank statements Tax returns Identity verification Government-issued photo ID Certificate of eligibility Step 7. Close on your new home The closing step is where you'll sign documents indicating that you understand and agree to your loan terms. The process can involve: Receiving closing documents: Before your scheduled loan closing, you'll receive a document called a closing disclosure, where you'll see a breakdown of your final VA closing costs. The typical costs include a funding fee, which varies from 1.5 percent to 3.3 percent of the loan amount. Usually, the higher your down payment on a VA loan, the lower the fee. There are also exceptions: Surviving spouses and veterans with service-connected disabilities don't have to pay the funding fee. Completing a final walk-through: A day or so before signing, you can also do a final walkthrough of the property. Receiving keys to home: Once you sign all the closing documents, including the purchase agreement, you'll receive the keys to your new house. After closing, the VA will return your certificate of eligibility with a note stating that you have used (all or part) of your VA mortgage loan entitlement. Qualified borrowers can use their eligibility more than once to obtain a loan on a new home they intend to live in. VA loan process FAQ What are the benefits and drawbacks of VA loans vs. other loan types? One of the biggest advantages to getting a VA loan is that no down payment is required. You also do not need to pay mortgage insurance. However, there are also cons to using a VA loan, such as the VA funding fee and stricter VA appraisal requirements. How long does it take for a VA loan to be approved? The amount of time needed to get a VA loan approval can differ depending on your lender, your unique circumstances and the local market. The typical timeline is between 40 and 50 days. Some lenders can complete the process faster. For example, Griffin Funding claims to be able to close your VA loan within 30 days. Can I refinance a VA loan? Yes. The easiest way to refinance a VA loan is via a VA IRRRL, which stands for Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan. These are also referred to as VA streamline refinances due to the limited amount of documentation required for the process. The funding fee for a VA IRRRL is small — just 0.5 percent of the loan amount. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
