Breaking down Trump’s executive order mandating multiple VA reforms

United States Capitol building located in Washington, D.C.

The VA would begin work on a pair of major new veteran facilities on opposite ends of the country and ramp up efforts to fire poorly performing employees under a series of sweeping reforms directed by President Trump. The executive order would also mandate reduced wait times for veterans health care appointments through expanded hours at VA facilities and relaxed rules for community care appointments.

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VA says its job cuts will limit doctor, nurse resignations

Data that VA employees have shared with NPR shows that more than 11,000 agency employees nationwide have applied for deferred resignation, which the current administration is offering as part of its DOGE initiative to cut the VA's workforce by 15%. The top positions across all networks that are requesting deferred resignation are nurses (about 1,300), medical support assistants (about 800), and social workers (about 300). VA Secretary Doug Collins has been adamant that staff cuts will not affect veterans' health care.

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Bill that includes expansion of medical marijuana access for vets approved by Texas House

An expansion to the state’s narrow medical marijuana program won overwhelming approval in the Texas House, giving veterans broad access to THC treatments and raising the number of dispensaries allowed in the state. Military veterans would be given special access, and their doctors would be allowed under the law to prescribe low-dose THC for conditions that are not on the state’s list.

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Navy veterans can get VA disability benefits

If you served in the Navy and have a mental or physical health condition as a result, you may be eligible for Navy disability pay. Navy veterans may be eligible to receive more than $3,800 a month from the VA to make up for any lost income due to their service-connected health issues, plus additional compensation for those with spouses or dependent children.

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Chemo port lawsuit

If you or someone you know had a chemo port installed for cancer treatment and the port migrated, fractured, or leaked in the body 90 days or more after it was implanted, you may be eligible to join the lawsuit against Bard.