A new report reveals a 50% increase in severe staff shortages at US Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals this fiscal year. The VA's inspector general found 94% of facilities severely short of doctors and 79% short of nurses, with psychology being the most impacted area. The VA press secretary disputes the report's reliability, while Congressman Mark Takano links the shortages to decreased veteran access to care. The VA is undertaking a 30,000-worker reduction, despite previous reports linking staff losses to reduced services and unit closures.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.