What 40,000 Missing Workers Mean for Veterans' Care
| Role | Number Lost | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Doctors & Physicians | 1,000+ | Longer waits, lost continuity of care |
| Nurses & Nursing Staff | 3,000+ | Reduced capacity, understaffed units |
| Appointment Schedulers | 1,500+ | Phone lines overwhelmed, can't book |
| Claims Processors | 2,200+ | Backlog grew by 200,000+ claims |
| Mental Health Counselors | 800+ | 8-session caps, 134-day waits |
"Veterans are dying on waitlists. This is not a bureaucratic problem. This is a life-and-death emergency."
— Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, January 2026
