Tessa Quinn
In 2022, the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) proposed closing 35 medical centers in 21 states, with 17 of those being completely shut down. The VA has faced criticism from lawmakers and veterans' affairs committees, who argue that the closures will negatively impact veterans' access to care. VA hospital staff have also reported low morale due to shortages in supplies and staff, with doctors and nurses taking on additional administrative tasks. Despite the concerns, the VA maintains that the changes are necessary to improve infrastructure and ensure veterans' access to world-class care.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of VA hospitals proposed for closure | 35 |
| Number of new VA hospitals to be built | 14 |
| Number of multi-specialty community-based outpatient clinics to be built | 140 |
| Number of new medical buildings to be added | 80 |
| Number of states where VA hospitals are to be closed or reconstructed | 21 |
| Number of VA hospitals to be completely closed | 17 |
| Number of states where VA hospitals will be completely closed | 12 |
| States with 2 sites each where VA hospitals will be closed | Pennsylvania, Virginia, South Dakota |
| States with 3 sites each where VA hospitals will be closed | New York |
| VA hospital that closed in February 2025 | Castle Point VA Medical Center |
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What You'll Learn
VA hospital staff shortages
While there is no evidence of VA hospitals closing down, there are plans to close or completely reconstruct 35 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in 21 different states. This is part of a $2 trillion infrastructure overhaul that includes the construction of 14 new VA hospitals and 140 multi-specialty community-based outpatient clinics. The plan, which is yet to be approved, could impact millions of veterans seeking medical care and hundreds of thousands of VA employees.
Staffing shortages in VA hospitals have been a persistent issue for over a decade. In 2024, a report found that 86% of VA hospitals and clinics reported a severe shortage of doctors, spanning various specialties such as anesthesiology, gynecology, pain management, oncology, and ophthalmology. The same report also identified severe shortages in other healthcare occupations, including psychology (61%), practical nursing (60%), psychiatry (47%), nursing assistants (46%), and medical technologists (45%).
The inspector general's annual determination of occupational staffing shortages reports has consistently identified medical officers and nurse occupations as areas of critical shortage since 2014. In fiscal year 2024, 86% of facilities reported severe shortages of medical officers, and 82% reported severe shortages of nurses. Other non-clinical positions with severe worker shortages included custodial workers (59%), police officers (43%), food service workers (37%), and biomedical engineering (26%). Overall, VA health facilities reported a total of 2,959 severe occupational staffing shortages in 2024, a slight improvement from the previous year.
To address the nursing shortage, the VA has implemented aggressive recruitment strategies, resulting in an increase of 14,000 nurses to the workforce. Additionally, the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act provide the VA Secretary with the authority to waive preference requirements for external applicants in certain occupations experiencing severe shortages, allowing for an expanded candidate pool.
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VA hospital closures in New York
In 2022, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a nearly $2 trillion infrastructure overhaul plan that would impact 35 VA Medical Centers in 21 states. The plan included the closure or reconstruction of these facilities, with 17 medical centers in 12 states completely closing down. Three sites in New York State were among those slated for closure: Castle Point, Manhattan, and Brooklyn.
The proposed closures in New York and other states aimed to address the declining veteran population and the changing healthcare landscape. However, the plan faced scrutiny and required approval from an independent commission of veterans' advocates and Congress.
In 2025, discussions continued around the potential closure of VA medical facilities in New York City, specifically hospitals in Manhattan and Brooklyn and a major clinic in Staten Island. The New York City Council Committee on Veterans addressed these possibilities, acknowledging the challenges they posed to the veteran community.
While the VA faced criticism for its infrastructure and service delivery, it also faced staffing shortages, with over 80% of VA hospitals reporting doctor and nursing shortages in the 2024 fiscal year. These shortages impacted patient care and staff morale, leading to concerns about the potential impact of hospital closures on veterans' access to healthcare.
The VA's restructuring plans included the addition of 14 new major hospitals and 140 multi-specialty community-based outpatient clinics, aiming to improve veterans' access to world-class healthcare. The proposed closures and reconstructions aimed to modernize VA facilities and ensure they met the needs of veterans and the changing healthcare landscape.
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VA hospital morale
In addition to staffing shortages, VA hospitals are facing challenges with supplies and appointment scheduling. Doctors and nurses are having to take on additional tasks, such as prepping rooms and unlocking supply closets, due to the reduction of support staff. The target layoff number for the VA is approximately 70,000 people, which is significantly higher compared to other federal agencies. This has led to fears that patient care will be negatively impacted.
The proposed closure of VA hospitals in various states, including New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and South Dakota, has also contributed to the low morale. US Senator Chuck Schumer of New York criticized the abrupt closure of the Castle Point VA acute inpatient care unit, which left veterans without access to potentially life-saving medical care. The closure of the E2 Unit at Castle Point VA Hospital was also met with backlash, as it was done without notifying the veterans in advance.
To address the plunging morale and staffing shortages, the VA has proposed building new "state-of-the-art" facilities and offering incentives such as bonuses and pay increases for mission-critical staff. They aim to boost recruiting and retention efforts by seeking legislative assistance to gain more flexibility. However, some lawmakers and veterans' affairs committees have expressed concerns about the potential impact of hospital closures on veterans' access to care. They have promised closer scrutiny of the proposed infrastructure changes, which include the closure or reconstruction of 35 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in 21 states.
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VA hospital services
In 2022, the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) proposed closing a dozen hospitals and using pay to attract workers to new locations. The VA's plan included closing 35 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in 21 different states, with 17 medical centers in 12 states being completely closed. The VA also proposed building 14 new major hospitals and 140 multi-specialty community-based outpatient clinics, adding 80 new medical buildings to its existing inventory of over 1,200 across the country.
The VA's plan aimed to address the changing healthcare landscape, ensuring that veterans have access to world-class care when and where they need it. However, the plan faced scrutiny and criticism from lawmakers and veterans' advocates, who raised concerns about potential gaps in care and the impact on veterans' access to medical services.
One notable example of a VA hospital closure is the Castle Point VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Dutchess County, New York, which abruptly closed its acute inpatient care unit in early 2025, affecting the care of 7,000 Hudson Valley veterans. The unit provided essential care for those dealing with substance use disorders, and its closure created challenges in accessing timely treatment within the VA system.
VA hospital staff have also reported plunging morale due to shortages of supplies and staffing, with over 80% of VA hospitals experiencing doctor and nursing shortages in the 2024 fiscal year. These issues have led to concerns about the potential impact on patient care and the ability to attract future talent.
Despite the challenges, the VA remains committed to providing healthcare services to veterans and has proposed legislative and recruitment initiatives to improve its infrastructure and retain mission-critical staff.
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VA hospital infrastructure
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has faced criticism in recent years over its ageing hospital infrastructure and staffing shortages. In 2022, the VA proposed a $2 trillion infrastructure overhaul that would close or reconstruct 35 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in 21 states, with 17 medical centers in 12 states being completely closed. The plan also included the construction of 14 new major VA hospitals and 140 multi-specialty community-based outpatient clinics, adding 80 new medical buildings to the VA's existing inventory of over 1,200 across the country.
The VA's hospital infrastructure has been described as "slowly crumbling," with lawmakers and veterans' advocates expressing concern over potential closures and the impact on veterans' access to care. In 2025, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York criticised the abrupt closure of the Castle Point VA acute inpatient care unit, which left 7,000 Hudson Valley veterans without access to potentially life-saving medical care.
The VA has cited declining populations, demographic changes, decrepit conditions, and difficulty in recruiting to justify its proposed closures. In some cases, new facilities will offer more limited services than their predecessors, and the VA has increasingly referred veterans to private providers, raising concerns about wholesale privatisation.
Staffing shortages have also impacted VA hospitals, with doctors and nurses taking on additional administrative and support duties. Over 80% of VA hospitals reported doctor and nursing shortages in the 2024 fiscal year, and the VA's goal to reduce its 470,000-person workforce by 15% has further exacerbated staffing issues.
Despite the challenges, the VA maintains that its infrastructure overhaul will ensure that veterans have access to "world-class care" and that it will remain the "premier health care provider" in every market.
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Frequently asked questions
The VA has proposed closing a dozen hospitals and offering pay to attract workers to new locations. In total, 35 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in 21 different states would be closed or reconstructed under a $2 trillion infrastructure overhaul.
The proposed closure of VA hospitals affects 12 states, including New York (Castle Point, Manhattan, and Brooklyn), Pennsylvania (Philadelphia and Coatesville), Virginia (Hampton and Salem), and South Dakota (Fort Meade and Hot Springs).
The VA has cited various reasons for the proposed closures, including declining populations, demographic changes, decrepit conditions, and difficulty in recruiting staff. The closures are part of a plan to restructure and modernize VA facilities across the country, with a focus on providing veterans with access to world-class care.
