VA

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says it will end a mortgage rescue plan that has saved nearly 20,000 veterans from needlessly losing their homes.

National

Trump's VA is ending a rescue program that's saved 17,000 military veterans' homes

11:08pm April 03, 2025

The Department of Veterans Affairs says it will end a mortgage rescue plan that has saved many veterans from needlessly losing their homes, the move could strand thousands of others who need help.

Queue Listen Now

National

VA rescinds transgender veterans' health guidance as department denies policy change

8:35pm March 14, 2025

In an internal VA memo seen by NPR, the VA says it's rescinding a directive that contains detailed guidance on the kind of care transgender veterans can receive at VA facilities.

Edmund Garcia, an Iraq War veteran, stands outside his home in Rosharon, Texas. Like many vets, he was told if he took a mortgage forbearance, his monthly payments wouldn't go up afterward.

The VA has its fix for a home loan debacle, but many vets who got hurt won't get help

3:18pm April 11, 2024

The VA halted foreclosures after an NPR investigation found thousands of vets were facing foreclosure and it wasn't their fault. Now the VA's unveiling a rescue plan that leaves some out in the cold.

Health & Safety

NCDHHS's Mandy Cohen Eyed For Lead Role In Biden Administration

4:50pm November 09, 2020

by David Ford

National

VA Head Acknowledges Challenges For Health Care Workers Battling Coronavirus

5:50pm April 20, 2020

by Quil Lawrence

Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie says his health system is not overwhelmed, but it has been forced to ration protective gear.

A Veterans Affairs inspector general's report, based on surprise inspections last month, found many facilities did not have enough personal protective equipment in reserve.

National

Internal Emails Show VA Hospitals Are Rationing Protective Gear

4:41pm April 10, 2020

by Quil Lawrence

Seven Veterans Affairs staffers have died from the virus, and unions for VA workers have been sounding the alarm about shortages of protective gear and insufficient staffing.

Then-Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin speaks at a news conference on March 7, 2018.

Trump's Former VA Secretary Describes 'Toxic' Washington Culture In New Book

9:25am October 22, 2019

by Brian Naylor

David Shulkin's memoir, It Shouldn't Be This Hard to Serve Your Country, focuses on his time as veterans affairs secretary, tells of his fights against privatizing the VA — and settles some scores.

Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., and other members of Congress are appealing a decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs to evict them from office spaces at VA hospitals.

Veterans Affairs Secretary Evicts Members Of Congress From Offices In VA Hospitals

11:04am September 25, 2019

by Greg Allen

The lawmakers have been using the offices to meet with veterans. At least one believes the eviction is payback for his tough questioning of VA Secretary Robert Wilkie in April.

Queue Listen Now

Former Marine Josh Onan talks with George Kevin Flood, a staff psychiatrist at the San Diego VA. Onan is taking advantage of a year-old program that makes VA care available to people with less-than-honorable military discharges.

National

VA Struggles To Reach Other-Than-Honorable-Discharge Vets In Need Of Help

6:29am October 18, 2018

by Steve Walsh

VA says 115 vets with other-than-honorable discharges received mental health care last year under a new program. Veterans advocates say it's a tiny fraction of such vets who need help.

Queue Listen Now

Robert Wilkie testifies during a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee nominations hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, on June 27, 2018.

National

Senate Confirms Pentagon Official To Head Veterans Affairs Department

8:33pm July 23, 2018

by Quil Lawrence

Robert Wilkie inherits a VA that is undertaking ambitious changes in the next year. The department has been in turmoil since Trump sacked his first VA secretary in March.

Queue Listen Now