Veterans Rally Against Proposed VA Cuts in Coronado

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Veterans and community members rallying in Coronado, advocating for comprehensive care and resources.

News Summary

In Coronado, a rally is set for June 6 to protest proposed cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs that include reducing the workforce by 80,000 jobs and closing hospitals. Local veterans express their concerns over the potential impact on healthcare services, especially as the demand for veteran care increases. Events will honor veterans and address the implications of staffing reductions on mental health services. The rally aims to hold politicians accountable and advocate for veteran rights.

Coronado, CA – A group of veterans and community members in Coronado is set to rally against proposed cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on Friday, June 6, coinciding with the anniversary of D-Day. The rally is driven by serious concerns over plans to reduce the VA workforce by 80,000 jobs and shut down 10% of VA hospitals, which could significantly impact the healthcare services provided to veterans.

Mal Sandie, a Coronado resident and veteran who served as a Navy helicopter pilot for 30 years, is particularly alarmed by the implications of these proposed cuts. As a graduate of the Naval Academy, Sandie emphasizes the need to protect veteran employment in the federal workforce and to oppose moves toward privatization of the VA. The event aims to hold political leaders accountable for policies that could detrimentally affect veterans and their families.

An internal memo from the VA, recently leaked and published by Government Executive, outlined plans to revert staffing levels to those seen in 2019. This cutback comes at a time when many veterans have recently become newly eligible for care, creating a larger demand for services. The VA serves over 9 million Americans each year through the Veterans Health Administration, the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States, which encompasses more than 1,300 facilities, including 170 medical centers and nearly 1,200 outpatient sites.

Veterans like Al Kovach, a disabled former Navy SEAL, are expressing concern regarding the scaling back of the VA’s services. Kovach highlights his reliance on the VA for his own medical needs and the necessity of maintaining adequate staffing and resources. Dr. Howard Somers, a resident of Coronado and parent of a veteran who tragically died by suicide, will also address the rally. He aims to illustrate the possible negative effects of service reductions, particularly on veterans’ access to mental health care.

Despite these concerns, VA Secretary Doug Collins has dismissed fears of job cuts, labeling them as “fake news” and asserting that the agency’s workforce will not threaten caregivers’ positions. Some veterans, like Drew Smith, feel reassured about their care and express confidence in the VA Secretary’s leadership, indicating they are not worried about the proposed job cuts.

President Donald Trump had previously signed an Executive Order designed to enhance services for veterans, focusing on reducing wait times and improving care for homeless veterans. However, critics point out a disconnect between the administration’s objectives and the realities of staff downsizing that is currently occurring within the VA. Recently, the VA has terminated approximately 1,000 probationary employees and cancelled significant contracts that provide essential resources to veterans.

While the proposed job cuts may not present immediate consequences, Sandie warns that the long-term effects could lead to deteriorating services for veterans. Collins has also announced plans to outsource medical care and implement artificial intelligence solutions for managing medical claims, further fueling apprehension among some veterans about the future of the VA.

The memory of John Pottridge, a veteran who passed away on May 25, will be honored during the rally. The event is set to begin at 2 PM at Spreckels Park, and participants will march along Orange Avenue to Fourth Street to raise their voices against these anticipated cuts and to stand in solidarity for veteran rights.

As veterans from diverse backgrounds and experiences come together to participate in the rally, they hope to advocate for the necessary resources and support systems that allow them to receive comprehensive care and maintain their quality of life in the years to come.