TOPEKA, KS – The Department of Veterans Affairs has begun preparing for a Reduction in Force (RIF) that could result in widespread layoffs and restructuring across the agency, including at the Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center in Topeka.
An internal VA document obtained by the Associated Press outlines early guidance on how the agency will implement workforce reductions, prioritizing layoffs based on tenure, performance, and veteran status. While the memo does not specify which positions will be affected, its release has sparked immediate concerns among VA employees and the thousands of veterans who rely on the Topeka facility for healthcare and benefits processing.
Uncertainty and Anxiety at Topeka’s VA
For VA employees in Topeka, the memo raises more questions than answers. The Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center, which serves veterans across northeast Kansas, has already been stretched thin due to staff shortages and increased patient loads. Many fear that further reductions could compromise critical services, leading to longer wait times and administrative backlogs.
“We’re already overworked and understaffed because of layoffs already,” said a Topeka VA employee, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss personnel matters. “If they continue cutting jobs, how are we supposed to keep up with the number of veterans who need care?”
The facility provides primary care, mental health services, and specialty care for thousands of veterans in the region. Any reduction in staff could mean delays in processing disability claims, approving prescriptions, and scheduling critical medical appointments—issues that have long plagued the VA system nationally.
What the VA Memo Says—And What It Doesn’t
The internal guidance does not specify how many employees will be affected, which departments will see cuts, or when layoffs will begin. Instead, it lays out a broad framework for how the VA intends to approach downsizing, emphasizing that veteran employees will be given priority in retention decisions.
According to the document, the agency will explore voluntary separation incentives and reassignment opportunities before issuing layoff notices. But for employees at Topeka’s VA, the lack of clarity has led to growing frustration.
“There’s a lot of nervous energy,” said another VA worker. “We don’t know if we’re safe, if our coworkers are safe, or what services will be impacted.”
This Is Topeka reached out to VA workers who have been already fired and they do not want to comment in hopes the court sides with workers and out of fear of retaliation.
Potential Impact on Veterans in Northeast Kansas
For veterans in Topeka, Lawrence, Leavenworth, and Manhattan, the workforce reduction could have direct consequences. Local veterans’ groups worry that any staffing cuts could worsen an already overburdened system.
“The last thing we need is fewer people working at the VA,” said a Marine Corps veteran VA employee “We fought for this country, and now we’re going to have to fight just to get an appointment?”
Historically, the VA has struggled with appointment backlogs, long processing times for benefits, and staff shortages in critical areas like mental health services. In Topeka, where many veterans depend on the VA for treatment related to PTSD, service-connected disabilities, and routine healthcare, reductions in workforce could mean delays in lifesaving care.
Political and Union Response
The potential workforce cuts have already drawn scrutiny from labor unions and veteran advocacy groups, many of which argue that reducing VA staff contradicts the administration’s promises to support veterans.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which represents VA workers, has called for greater transparency and a commitment to protecting jobs at facilities like Topeka’s VA hospital. Congressional representatives from Kansas could also step into the debate, particularly if workforce reductions start to affect care.
What Happens Next?
For now, no official layoff notices have been issued, but VA employees in Topeka remain on edge. The agency is expected to finalize its reduction plans in the coming months, with more details on which roles and facilities will be affected.
For veterans and employees alike, the message is clear: the future of Topeka’s VA remains uncertain.
As the situation develops, local veterans and VA workers are being urged to contact their congressional representatives and union officials to express their concerns.
The potential cuts come at a time when the nation’s veteran population is aging and requires more—not fewer—resources. If workforce reductions at the Topeka VA move forward, they could serve as a test case for how the agency balances budgetary constraints with its commitment to those who served.
