WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Ranking Member Mark Takano and nine members of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee sent a letter to newly confirmed Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collinsto raise concerns regarding President Trump’s recent executive order for federal agencies to terminate all diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs and the impact it will have on veterans' healthcare services and VA’s ability to effectively serve all veterans.
The executive order, issued on January 20, 2025,has already resulted in the placement of at least 60 VA employees on administrative leave. The Democratic Members warn these actions threaten to undermine critical healthcare services and VA research programs that benefit not only millions of veterans, but all Americans.
"These programs are not about preferential treatment – they're about ensuring every veteran who served our nation can access the care they earned," said Ranking Member Takano. "By dismantling these initiatives, we risk compromising VA's world-class research capabilities and specialized healthcare services that benefit all veterans."
Of particular concern is the potential impact on:
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VA's clinical research trials and medical treatment programs
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Specialized healthcare and mental health support services
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Personalized care planning that accounts for individual veterans’ medical needs
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Accessibility services for disabled veterans
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Healthcare delivery for veterans in underserved communities
VA's research programs have long been considered the gold standard in healthcare, producing treatments and innovations that benefit both veterans and civilians. Ending these programs could significantly impair VA's ability to conduct comprehensive clinical trials and deliver effective, personalized healthcare.
The Musk-Trump Administration’s executive order also seems to disregard disabled veterans' access to care. The letter notes that many veterans who "wear the scars and life-long impacts of their sacrifices in defense of our nation" rely on accessibility initiatives to receive proper care and resources.
