Congressmen James' and Barrett’s Disastrous Agenda Undermines Veterans' Healthcare on Multiple Fronts
As the Department of Veterans Affairs moves forward with plans to eliminate up to 35,000 healthcare positions—including doctors, nurses, and support staff— we are reminded of Congressmen Tom Barrett and John James' vote for the Republican Tax Law that slashed billions in Medicaid funding over 10 years. These actions reveal a broader pattern of abandoning veterans who depend on accessible, quality healthcare.
"I served this country for 20 years in the Air Force, and I never thought I'd see the day when a fellow veteran in Congress would vote to cut benefits for people who put on the uniform, then stand by while the VA eliminates thousands of positions that veterans desperately need," said Joel Rutherford, a 20-year Air Force veteran and Warren resident. "The VA is already stretched thin—veterans are waiting up to 90 days just to access mental health services. Now they're voting to cut Medicaid that over 1 million veterans rely on. This isn't just one bad vote—it's a disastrous agenda that systematically undermines veterans' ability to access healthcare and afford basic needs. You can't claim you support those who served while voting to dismantle the programs keeping us alive. Congressman John James and Congressman Tom Barrett should vote to extend the health care tax credits for the next three years, not increase our cost."
The VA's planned elimination of healthcare positions comes after the agency already lost nearly 30,000 employees this year, reducing the healthcare workforce by 10 percent. Staff report being strained and exhausted, with facilities already lacking necessary personnel to meet demand. Meanwhile, the Republican Tax Law that Barrett and James voted for included trillions in tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy while simultaneously enacting the largest cuts to SNAP in history and slashing Medicaid funding. Veterans with Medicaid face mental illness at nearly twice the rate of veterans without, making consistent access to healthcare critical.
Last month, Michigan Families for Fair Care launched a $385,000 ad to continue to show how Congressman Barrett's votes have impacted the people in his district. The ad, “Steve,” highlights Army combat veteran Steve Monti who talks about how Congressman Barrett's votes have impacted veterans in Michigan's 7th District. This ad is also a part of an ongoing campaign to hold Congressmen John James and Tom Barrett accountable for the impacts of their votes in Congress.
