To: northam who wrote (1516239 ) 1/26/2025 12:48:49 PM From: Mongo2116 1 RecommendationRecommended By
Read Replies (1) | Respond to What Retired/Retiring Veterans Need to Know About Elon Musk’s Plans for Government Efficiency?Heather Altamirano Sat, January 25, 2025 at 11:01 AM EST Many speculate that the Veterans Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996 is on the chopping block because it costs the government $119 billion annually. The law expired in 1998 but is still funded and benefits veterans today by improving healthcare standards, expanding eligibility for outpatients, and more. According to a press release from the National Federation of Federal Employees, 30% of federal employees are veterans. If Musk and Ramaswamy follow through on promises to cut massive spending, an estimated 481,950 veterans will be laid off. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy get their way, nearly half a million veterans will go jobless,” said Randy Erwin, national president of the National Federation of Federal Employees, in the media release. Nearly 371,000 healthcare professionals work for the Veterans Affairs (VA). If job loss occurs as a result of the DOGE, and a massive employee reduction takes place, it would severely disrupt services to veterans. “If Musk and Ramaswamy execute their stated plans, the VA healthcare system as we know it will collapse,” Erwin explained in the press release. According to Andrew Lokenauth , a finance expert and founder of TheFinanceNewsletter , veterans will be affected if too much staff is let go in several ways. Appointment wait times might stretch from weeks to months (especially in rural areas) Emergency care services could see reduced staffing and longer wait times Mental health support services might face severe limitations Prescription medication costs could increase for veterans Specialized care for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and combat-related injuries might see reduced resources It’s unclear when the potential changes could happen, but Lokenauth explained there are key signs to watch for: Closure announcements of local VA facilities Increased co-pays or medication costs New restrictions on service eligibility Reduced operating hours at VA clinics Staffing cuts at VA facilities To help prepare for possible upcoming changes , veterans should consider taking these steps, per Lokenauth: Collect and organize all medical records Complete any pending healthcare procedures File any outstanding disability claims ASAP Get current prescriptions filled and renewed Schedule important medical appointments now If changes are implemented, veterans should protect themselves financially. Lokenauth advises the following: Build an emergency healthcare fund (aim for at least six months of expenses) Consider supplemental private health insurance options Explore local veteran support organizations and programs Look into state-specific veteran healthcare programs Start documenting all current health conditions and treatments Time will tell what will happen, but Ramaswamy and Musk are already drumming up plenty of support for DOGE. An account for the task force was launched in November 2024 on X and has 2.7 million followers. BEND OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
