In 2024, the Veterans’ Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996 accounted for nearly $120 billion in government funds despite its appropriations being authorized through 1998
Summary
Vivek Ramaswamy, recently appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has proposed defunding federal programs that lack current congressional authorization.
This could affect programs like veterans’ healthcare, NASA, and early education initiatives, which still receive funding despite expired authorizations.
Ramaswamy argues that cutting these programs could save billions, and he’s committed to targeting expenditures that “don’t advance the interests of American citizens.”
DOGE, co-led by Elon Musk, aims to curb government spending, with Musk estimating potential cuts of up to $2 trillion.
I am terrified at them defunding the VA. I've had a much easier time getting good medical care from VA doctors than I ever did going private and I'd be bankrupt without the VA. It's because of the VA that I have any savings at all
Agreed. They must have gotten better in the last decade too, because I don't see the horrible things that people have said about the VA. Yes there are long wait times for appointments, but that's happening in private care now as well.