NYC Veterans, Nurses and Unions to Combat Trump’s Plan to Cut 35,000 Medical Jobs at the VA
James J. Peters Bronx VA Medical Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6th, 2025
CONTACT: info@fiveboroveterans.com
BRONX, NY — Five Borough Veterans announced today that it is intensifying its advocacy efforts in response to ongoing federal proposals to eliminate nursing and healthcare positions within the Department of Veterans Affairs. In an updated call to action, Five Borough Veterans will join National Nurses United (NNU) for a press conference on Thursday, January 8, at 4:30 PM at the front gates of the James J. Peters VA Medical Center.
As the federal administration continues to weigh plans that would reduce frontline staff, Five Borough Veterans is moving to hold leadership accountable for the inevitable decline in veteran care. These proposed cuts threaten to significantly increase wait times and jeopardize access to essential specialty and mental health services for New York City’s veteran population.
“We cannot cut funding to the VA health system when we still owe an enormous debt to those who served our country,” said Isra Pananon-Weeks, Army Veteran and Vice President of Five Borough Veterans. “Our veterans put their lives on the line to protect us, so the least we can do is ensure they have access to quality healthcare when they return home. Here in New York, VA facilities are already struggling with understaffing and resource shortages. Cutting services now would be unconscionable. What's equally troubling is the lack of transparency around these proposed cuts. There's no clear plan, no honest assessment of the impact on veterans who depend on these services. Before any changes are made, we need full transparency about what will be cut, how many New Yorkers will be affected, and what alternatives will truly be available. Our veterans kept their promise to us. We must keep our promise to them. On behalf of our 700+ members and the over 200,000 veterans in New York City who deserve better, we stand firmly against these cuts.”
The press conference will address several critical points of concern:
Staffing Shortages: The direct correlation between nursing cuts and the safety of veteran patients.
Erosion of Services: The risk to specialized care and mental health programs that are already under immense pressure.
Federal Accountability: A demand for transparency and a reversal of any plan that prioritizes budget optics over veteran lives.
Members of the press, local veterans, and community advocates are invited to attend. Speakers will include Michael Matos, representatives from National Nurses United, and veterans sharing firsthand accounts of the current conditions at NYC VA facilities.
EVENT DETAILS:
WHAT: Press Conference: Protect Our Healthcare
WHEN: Thursday, January 8, 2026
TIME: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM EST
WHERE: James J. Peters VA Medical Center (Front Gate)
130 W Kingsbridge Rd, Bronx, NY 10468
For more information on the event or to register for updates, please visit https://luma.com/acaopcxr.
About Five Borough Veterans: Five Borough Veterans (FBV) is a non-partisan advocacy organization representing the diverse military-connected community of New York City. Founded to amplify the voices of veterans, service members, and their families, FBV focuses on data-driven solutions to strengthen civic voice, economic resilience, and housing stability across the city.
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