TRUMP’S LATEST VA EXECUTIVE ORDER IMPROVES HEALTHCARE & HOUSING OPTIONS FOR VETERANS
On May 9, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order related to Veterans Affairs in order to provide better care for Veterans, improve accountability for care, and establish a National Center for Warrior Independence for homeless Veterans.
The new VA executive order is looking to mandate reduced wait times for Veterans' health care appointments, which would be done through expanded hours at VA facilities.
As stated on the White House Fact Sheet, “President Trump strongly believes that every Veteran deserves our gratitude and that the federal government should treat Veterans like the heroes they are.” Learn more about how Trump's new order and the sweeping reforms that are taking place.
Helping Homeless Veterans
With the new VA executive order, Trump is also planning a series of offices that are focused on helping homeless Veterans. They will be crafted around the 388-acre West Los Angeles Veteran Affairs Medical Center campus as a living space for homeless Veterans.
In Los Angeles, there are about 3,000 homeless Veterans, which is more than any other city in the country. Around 24% of the country's homeless Veterans live in California, with Florida coming in at a distant second.
The executive order will help build facilities and resources to help our Veterans earn back their self-sufficiency. The goal is to help about 6,000 homeless Veterans by 2028. The new National Center for Warrior Independence is intended to help homeless Veterans rebuild their lives.
Additionally, homeless Veterans in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, and around the nation, can get help from the center if they need care, need to receive benefits, or need access to additional services.
The funds spent or intended for housing or other services for illegal aliens will be redirected to improve the center; therefore, homeless Veterans can receive the best care available.
Improvements to Manchester VA Medical Center
Back when Trump was still campaigning last year, he promised to make improvements to the Manchester VA Medical Center. The goal was to expand the center to have more health care offerings, meeting a full-service level.
“Twice over the past eight years, pipes have burst, temporarily closing parts of the medical center,” Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., said in a February hearing.
“We’re talking months of rescheduled surgeries, the whole nine yards. It has been terrible.”
Now, the new order will fulfill Trump’s promise as it also lets the VA conduct a study at the Manchester VA Medical Center to make sure that they will offer full services for Veterans by early November.
Could More VA Firings Be on the Horizon?
The White House Fact Sheet states, “Restore accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This includes taking action against individuals who have committed misconduct and investigating and rectifying the previous administration.”
Although the order isn’t focused on this area, it could still be used to help reach the goals of helping homeless Veterans and improving the Manchester VA Medical Center.
As stated on the White House Fact Sheet, “President Trump also signed legislation to remove thousands of VA workers who failed to give our Vets the care they so richly deserve.”
Trump, and other conservative members of Congress, have blamed the Biden administration for failing to identify poor performers within the department.
Trump's executive order is calling for VA leaders to investigate if back pay for problematic employees can be revoked.
Additionally, Doug Collins made an announcement that up to 80,000 workers would be cut from VA payrolls in the coming months, decreasing the size of the department.
Veterans Health Administration Expanded Hours
Included in the new VA executive order is a plan to reduce waiting times for Veterans Health Administration appointments, which will be done through expanded hours, weekend appointments, and virtual healthcare.
“Long wait times for earned benefits aren’t cutting it, a lack of resources for servicemembers to transition into civilian life and ending Veteran homelessness isn’t cutting it, denied referrals for health care and mental health support aren’t cutting it,” House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill., said. “It’s time to change the way VA works.”
This means Veterans wouldn’t need to wait longer for appointments, and they will be served better.
On the other hand, weekend appointments and expanded hours would most likely mean a need for more staffing, and right now, they are making more cuts, but Collins said that they wouldn’t cut medical specialists.
To make sure that the new VA executive order will be implemented, Collins is going to testify before both the House Appropriations Committee and the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee on Thursday, May 15th.
Read next:
- VA Workforce Reductions Disrupt Mental Health Services Access for Some Veterans
- Here’s How Homeless Vets Can Get Housing Assistance Through HUD-VASH
- These VA Medical Breakthroughs Changed Healthcare for All, Not Just Veterans
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