VA Exempts 300,000 Health Jobs from Federal Hiring Freeze

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that over 300,000 health care positions will be exempt from a federal hiring freeze imposed by President Donald Trump, aimed at ensuring continued services for veterans. Acting VA Secretary Todd Hunter clarified that positions critical to delivering care, including doctors, nurses, and medical support staff, fall under the category of public safety and are therefore not subject to the freeze. The hiring freeze, which affects federal civilian positions, was instituted on January 20, 2025, but the VA is working to maintain its workforce to address the approximately 40,000 vacancies reported. Senators raised concerns during the confirmation hearing of Doug Collins, Trump's nominee for VA secretary, about the potential impacts of the freeze on veterans' services. Collins indicated he would advocate for veterans while adhering to the executive order. This exemption aligns with previous actions taken during past hiring freezes to safeguard the VA's operational integrity and support for veterans.