Arizona veterans fear impact of VA job cuts on crucial services

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (AZFamily) — The Department of Veterans Affairs is looking to cut over 80,000 jobs over the next few months. Sen. Ruben Gallego held a town hall in Flagstaff for veterans to voice their concerns about upcoming changes.

“I’m already seeing the decline of services here in Flagstaff,” one person said during the town hall.

Arizona’s Family spoke to one veteran, Al Graham, who said he’s worried about what will happen to his services over the next few months.

Graham and his wife both served in the military. Now, his wife works for the Indian Health Service, and they both use VA services.

“It is just happening now. Big reorganizations come in, a lot of calls for layoffs, so we’re finally starting to feel the effects,” Graham said.

Sen. Gallego heard similar stories from other veterans Friday morning. He also shared his concerns about VA cuts, especially in rural Arizona.

“It’s going to be harder to go to a doctor. It’s going to be harder to find a specialist. You’re going to have increased wait time. Wait times means people’s health is going to deteriorate,” Gallego said.

He says he hopes to bring more services to Northern Arizona in the future so that vets can avoid long drive times to Phoenix. He says it’s not fair for them to have to come all the way to the Valley for care.

Graham wants to remind veterans that they can use their voices to call their representatives or get out and protest.

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