HOWELL, Mich.(WLNS)— Veterans throughout Mid-Michigan are involved about huge layoffs on the VA because the Trump administration is planning to slash about 80,000 employees, in accordance with a memo reported by the Related Press.
These cuts are a part of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s plan to downsize the federal authorities.
Chad Teets, a sergeant with the Military Reserve, says he has combined emotions concerning the layoffs.
“As long as the cuts are in an appropriate way, I would support it,” said Teets. “I don’t know if 80,000 people are appropriate.”
Nevertheless, Teets says a few of the cuts are vital.
“Maybe we’re overstaffed in numerous totally different branches and administration. I’ve had my very own shortfalls throughout the VA so far as receiving service. You recognize, I feel it is like every other enterprise,” mentioned Teets. “You have your people that are really good at their job, and you have people who aren’t really good at their job. So, the people that aren’t doing what they’re supposed to be doing, I think those are the ones that need to be targeted.”
Teets, who has a incapacity, says he has some considerations about how the cuts might influence well being care advantages from the VA.
“What happens if we go too far?” said Teets. “So, if we do cut 80,000 people and now our government recognizes that there is a huge impact on service members not receiving the benefits they’re entitled to. How do they fix it?”
Harold Richmond, a Vietnam Warfare veteran, agrees, saying he’s fearful the layoffs might have an effect on the advantages his fellow service members depend on.
“It creates worry,” said Richmond. “I’ve dealt with them before, and it’s taking them so long now for anybody to get the benefits that they require or are entitled to, and to cut it back any further. It seems like it could make it take longer.”
Nevertheless, Richmond says some components of the federal government ought to downsize and that there’s nonetheless quite a lot of uncertainty.
“I think the cuts are going to make things more difficult for, you know, the ones that are involved with it,” said Richmond. “I think the VA is a good thing. I think it helps the Veterans, especially those that need it.”
There are at present 482,000 staff within the VA.
