The Trump administration is planning to cut over 70,000 jobs and hundreds of contracts at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This decision comes despite Congress recently approving nearly a billion dollars for VA research funding. Many in the medical community are concerned that these cuts could jeopardize vital research that has led to significant advancements in healthcare.
Stephan Fihn, who worked at the VA for 36 years, has seen firsthand the impact of VA research. He noted that research has changed how conditions like prostate enlargement are treated. Instead of surgery, patients can now be prescribed effective medications, thanks to VA studies. Over the years, the VA has also contributed to the development of nicotine patches for smoking cessation and improved treatments for PTSD.
Timothy O’Leary, a former chief of research and development at the VA, highlighted that the private sector often avoids funding studies that may show their new drugs are not better than existing options. The VA, however, has the freedom to conduct such research because its goal is to serve veterans and taxpayers, not to sell products.
While VA spokesman Pete Kasperowicz stated that the agency is not planning to reduce its research mission, it is currently reviewing its operations. Initially, the VA announced a hiring freeze, but this has been paused for research positions until June. Researchers are worried that the public is unaware of how much medical innovation in the U.S. is tied to VA projects. Rashi Romanoff from the National Association for Veterans’ Research emphasized the importance of investing in the VA’s research capabilities, not just for veterans but for the country as a whole.
However, some researchers, who chose to remain anonymous due to concerns about retaliation, expressed fears that uncertainty surrounding funding could lead to the loss of essential support staff. They worry that studies focusing on women’s health and racial health disparities might be cut, and long-term projects like the Million Veteran Program, a significant genetic study, could be disrupted.
While the VA has assured that job cuts will not affect frontline health positions, no similar promise has been made for research jobs. The future of VA research remains uncertain as the agency faces these drastic cuts.