The Hampton VA Medical Center, like many other VA facilities across the country, is grappling with the uncertainty and chaos brought on by recent executive orders from the Trump administration. While the Hampton VA Medical Center did not respond to requests for comment about specific changes at their facility, the broader impact of these policies is beginning to manifest. VA spokesperson Peter Kasperowicz emphasized that no immediate changes to services and benefits for veterans and VA beneficiaries will occur until a formal order is issued by VA’s Office of the Secretary. However, the flurry of confusing emails and directives sent to VA employees over the past two weeks has left many feeling disoriented and anxious about the future of veteran care.
VA employees, many of whom spoke to NBC News on the condition of anonymity, described a chaotic situation. They received conflicting instructions about whether they could resign, freeze employment offers, or rescind job offers for critically understaffed hospitals. The constant back-and-forth has significantly impacted staff morale. Many employees expressed their deepest fear: that these changes will ultimately harm the veterans they are sworn to serve. A Texas psychologist with over a decade of service to the VA captured the sentiment: “It’s just very disorienting and scary in the sense of, what does all this mean for VA health care in general and the mission that we serve? Will veterans still be able to get what they need after all this has shaken out?”
The VA has faced severe staffing shortages, particularly for physicians, nurses, and psychologists, for at least five years, according to a report from the VA’s inspector general. Employees fear that Trump’s hiring freeze and the termination of remote work arrangements could worsen these shortages. A human resources specialist in the southeast region described how her team had to rescind 400 job offers, including for critical roles like registered nurses and radiology technologists, due to the hiring freeze. However, the policy has been inconsistent, with some positions later being exempted. The specialist worries that the combination of policy flip-flopping and lower pay compared to the private sector will make it even harder to hire and retain staff.
The impact of these changes extends beyond day-to-day healthcare services. VA researchers are also facing uncertainty, particularly those involved in critical studies that could improve veterans’ care. A cancer researcher leading studies for terminally ill patients expressed concerns that her team could be laid off by the end of the year due to expiring contracts. She emphasized that the loss of this research could have life-or-death consequences for some veterans. Additionally, cuts to NIH funding, which supports many of these studies, have added another layer of uncertainty. The researcher described these cuts as “the biggest blow” to their work.
The executive orders have also raised concerns about their impact on LGBTQ+ veterans and employees. Some VA employees reported that their facilities have banned LGBTQ-related training for new staff and prohibited the display of pride flags. Lindsay Church, a transgender Navy veteran, noticed that their VA medical record no longer reflects their gender identity, showing only their “birth sex.” Church fears that this change will affect the quality of their care and expressed worries about harassment. A social worker with 20 years of experience compared the current situation to the “don’t ask, don’t tell” era but described it as “an all-out systematic attack” on LGBTQ+ individuals.
Despite the challenges, many VA employees remain committed to their mission of serving veterans. Mary Brinkmeyer, a psychologist at the Hampton VA Medical Center, took a stand by putting her pride flag back up after being told to remove it. She wanted to show her support for LGBTQ+ veterans and her colleagues. Brinkmeyer’s small act of defiance reflects the resilience and dedication of VA employees who are determined to continue providing care and support to all veterans, no matter what obstacles they face.
