Veterans and lawmakers rally against Veterans Affairs staff cuts recommended by DOGE
Latimer said the staff cuts, which amount to about 20% of the VA's entire staff, may cause longer waits for doctor's appointments and cause longer waits just to be granted approval to receive VA benefits.
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Local veterans rallied with Rep. George Latimer in downtown White Plains Friday, hoping to save the services they receive through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The VA is planning to make massive cuts to staff and programs, possibly affecting services at the White Plains VA clinic.
Marine veteran Steven Colon told News 12 that after surviving the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Beirut that killed 241 of his fellow Marines, he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder that led to his being dishonorably discharged from the service and made him ineligible for VA benefits.
"I started heavily drinking to deal with it," Colon said. "I starting using drugs and ended up going to prison."
Times changed.
The U.S. military eventually recognized Colon's condition, and Colon received lifesaving treatment.
"I wasn't aware of what was going on until I got therapy," he said.
Colon fought for 40 years to receive his service connection that made him eligible for benefits.
He may have to fight more.
At the recommendation of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, the VA is planning to cut programs and about 80,000 employees nationwide.
"Little by little, this administration is cutting us down," he said, "and taking not what we're asking for. They're taking what we earned."
Colon and other veterans rallied with Latimer against the cuts Friday at Tibbetts Park.
Latimer said the staff cuts, which amount to about 20% of the VA's entire staff, may cause longer waits for doctor's appointments and cause longer waits just to be granted approval to receive VA benefits.
Latimer said he also learned a program that helps veterans pay their mortgages will be cut.
"You're talking about veterans who may lose their homes," Latimer said. "This program helps them, and you're eliminating that. We talk about homeless veterans. What do you think is going to happen out of that?"
Latimer said he is building a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers to lobby against the cuts.
VA press secretary Peter Kasperowicz told News 12 in an email that no veterans will lose benefits and doctors and nurses will not be fired.
"We’re going to maintain VA’s mission-essential jobs like doctors, nurses and claims processors, while phasing out non-mission essential roles like DEI officers," Kasperowicz explained. "The savings we achieve will be redirected to Veteran health care and benefits."
