Navigated to Trump cuts leave VA hospital nurses and veteran patients in a crisis

Trump cuts leave VA hospital nurses and veteran patients in a crisis

June 4
54 mins

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Episode Description

Already burdened by years of funding cuts and understaffing, registered nurses who work at Veterans Health Administration (VA) facilities across the country are facing a crisis as the impact of the Trump administration’s cuts to the federal workforce take effect. In this episode of Working People, Maximillian Alvarez speaks with VA nurses and union representatives for National Nurses United about how these cuts, coupled with Trump’s attempt to strip over one million federal workers of their collective bargaining rights, are hurting VA workers, the quality of care they’ve been trained to provide, and the veterans they serve.Guest(s):
  • Irma Westmoreland, a registered VA nurse in Augusta, Georgia, who currently serves as secretary-treasurer of National Nurses United and chair of the National Nurses United Organizing Committee/NNU-VA
  • Sharda Fornnarino, a navy veteran who has worked as a VA nurse for 25 years, and who currently serves as the National Nurses United director of the Denver VA.
Additional links/info: Featured Music:
  • Jules Taylor, “Working People” Theme Song
Credits:
  • Audio Post-Production: Jules Taylor
 
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