Report on Proposed VA Staffing Reductions and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals
Executive Summary
This report analyzes concerns regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) plan to reduce its workforce to 2019 levels. The proposed reduction of over 83,000 employees is examined in the context of increased demand for veteran services following the PACT Act. The analysis highlights significant conflicts with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). It recommends a data-driven, mission-focused approach to staffing rather than an arbitrary numerical cut.
Background: Increased Demand for VA Services
The VA is experiencing an unprecedented surge in demand for benefits and care, primarily driven by the PACT Act, which expanded eligibility for a significant number of veterans. This increased workload directly challenges the logic of reducing staff to pre-expansion levels.
- Over the past two fiscal years, the VA has received 4,414,334 disability claims.
- This represents a 29.8% increase compared to the two prior fiscal years.
- A record number of applications were filed in 2023, with 2024 on pace to exceed that record.
- Of the total claims, 1,774,158 are directly related to PACT Act conditions.
Conflict with Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
The proposed staffing cuts pose a direct threat to the health and well-being of the veteran population, undermining progress toward SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
- Access to Care: A reduction in force is likely to increase wait times and reduce access to essential health services, directly impacting veteran health outcomes.
- Mental Health and Suicide Prevention: The VA has reported progress in reducing veteran suicide. Staffing reductions could increase stress on veterans seeking care and benefits, potentially reversing this positive trend. This jeopardizes Target 3.4, which seeks to reduce premature mortality and promote mental health.
- Emergency Services: The policy effective January 17, 2023, allowing veterans in acute suicidal crisis to receive emergency care at any facility at no cost, requires robust administrative and clinical support. Staffing cuts could compromise the efficacy of this life-saving initiative.
Conflict with Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The VA is a critical public institution responsible for delivering on national commitments to veterans. The proposed strategy appears to weaken this institution, in direct opposition to the principles of SDG 16, which calls for effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
- Institutional Effectiveness: A “chainsaw approach” that sets a numerical goal for cuts regardless of mission requirements undermines the VA’s capacity to function effectively and responsively (Target 16.6).
- Accountability and Transparency: A decision to cut staff without a thorough, transparent analysis of needs and mission requirements lacks accountability to the veteran community it serves.
- Justice and Inclusivity: Ensuring veterans receive the benefits and care they have earned is a matter of justice. Reducing the institution’s capacity to deliver these services creates an access-to-justice issue and fails to be inclusive of the needs of an expanding eligible population, conflicting with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
Recommendation: A Data-Driven “Right-Sizing” Approach
A more responsible and effective strategy would involve a comprehensive analysis to “right-size” the VA workforce based on its current and projected mission. This approach aligns with building strong institutions (SDG 16) and ensuring decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) through strategic human resource planning.
- Conduct Mission-Based Analysis: Utilize population models and stakeholder input to determine precise staffing needs for each clinical and service area across different geographic regions.
- Evaluate Service Utilization: Identify areas where services are underutilized and could be consolidated, while simultaneously identifying high-demand areas that require increased staffing.
- Prioritize Veteran Outcomes: Shift the focus from arbitrary workforce numbers to the primary goal of delivering effective and timely services that improve veteran health and well-being.
- Ensure Integrity and Inclusion: The process must be built on integrity, research, stakeholder inclusion, and detailed analysis to ensure the VA can meet its obligations effectively.
SDGs Addressed in the Article
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article’s central theme is the potential impact of staffing cuts on veteran health, particularly mental health and suicide prevention.
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The planned layoff of over 83,000 employees directly relates to employment and workforce stability.
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article critiques the decision-making process of a public institution (the VA) and calls for more effective, accountable, and transparent governance.
Specific SDG Targets Identified
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
- Explanation: The article expresses deep concern that staffing reductions will “increase stress experienced by veterans” and potentially reverse progress in reducing veteran suicide. It explicitly states, “The VA is making progress in reducing the incidence of veteran suicide. The decreasing rate of veteran suicide needs to continue,” directly linking VA services to mental health outcomes and mortality prevention.
- Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services…
- Explanation: The author questions how returning to 2019 staffing levels will improve care, especially after the PACT Act “expanded the number of veterans eligible for care.” The article highlights a policy that provides “emergency health care at no cost” to veterans in suicidal crisis, even those not enrolled in the VA system, as a key component of universal access that could be threatened by staffing cuts.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all…
- Explanation: The article directly addresses the plan to “cut a set number of employees (83,000+).” This action is contrary to the goal of maintaining full and productive employment. The author argues against this “quick decision” and advocates for a proper analysis to determine staffing needs, which supports the principle of stable and productive employment based on mission requirements rather than arbitrary cuts.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
- Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
- Explanation: The author criticizes the VA’s “chainsaw approach” to staffing and the lack of a transparent, evidence-based process. The reference to a “leaked memo” and “what’s behind the curtain” suggests a lack of transparency. The call for an “actual evaluation” that involves “integrity, research, inclusion, discussion, TIME, and analysis” is a direct plea for the VA to become a more effective and accountable institution.
Indicators for Measuring Progress
SDG 3 Indicators
- Indicator 3.4.2 (Suicide mortality rate): The article explicitly mentions “the decreasing rate of veteran suicide” as a key metric of success that is at risk. The reference to the “VA 2024 Suicide Prevention Annual Report” points to the formal tracking of this indicator.
- Implied Indicator (Access to essential services): The article implies the importance of measuring access to care by highlighting the massive increase in disability claims (“4,414,334 claims for disability compensation benefits”) and the expansion of eligibility through the PACT Act. The ratio of staff to eligible veterans could serve as an indicator of the institution’s capacity to provide essential services.
SDG 8 Indicators
- Implied Indicator (Change in employment levels): The specific number mentioned, the plan to “lay off as many as 83,000 employees,” serves as a direct, quantifiable negative indicator for employment within this specific public sector institution.
SDG 16 Indicators
- Implied Indicator (Evidence-based policymaking): The author’s entire argument for “right sizing to meet the mission” through “population models,” “research,” and “analysis” implies that the presence or absence of such a data-driven process is an indicator of institutional effectiveness. The current plan, described as a “memo [that] sets a number goal with expectations to cut to that number regardless of mission requirements,” indicates a lack of evidence-based policymaking.
Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being and reduce premature mortality.
3.8: Achieve universal health coverage and access to quality essential health-care services. |
3.4.2 (Suicide mortality rate): The article explicitly references the “decreasing rate of veteran suicide” as a key progress metric.
Implied: Ratio of VA staff to the growing number of eligible veterans and claims filed under the PACT Act as a measure of service capacity. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all. | Implied: The specific number of planned job cuts (“83,000+ employees”) as a direct negative indicator of employment stability. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions | 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. | Implied: The use of an evidence-based process (“actual evaluation,” “research,” “analysis”) versus an arbitrary one (“chainsaw approach”) as a qualitative indicator of institutional effectiveness and accountability. |
Source: news.va.gov
