PHOENIX — Critical resources for Arizona’s veterans are being slashed due to recent cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), resulting in the termination of several Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) therapists in Phoenix. Attorney General Kris Mayes is condemning the cuts and urging the public to attend an upcoming Community Impact Hearing to discuss their impact.
“These cuts are outrageous,” said Attorney General Mayes. “Veterans in Arizona already struggle to access the care they deserve, and now an unelected billionaire and a wannabe dictator have decided even the status quo was too much help. Firing VA therapists, including those helping veterans manage PTSD and chronic pain, is not only cruel—it’s dangerous.”
The Impact of DOGE Cuts on Arizona’s Veterans
- More than 1,400 VA employees nationwide have been terminated
- Arizona has lost critical VA therapists, reducing services for veterans
- Mental health services for veterans with PTSD and chronic pain are being cut
One of the impacted employees is Kristin Fray, a music therapist at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center, who helped veterans cope with anxiety, pain, and post-traumatic stress.
Upcoming Community Impact Hearing
To address the real-world consequences of these cuts, Attorney General Mayes is hosting a town hall meeting as part of a national series of Community Impact Hearings. Veterans, their families, and community members are invited to share their experiences and voice concerns.
- Date: March 5, 2025
- Time: 6:00 PM
- Location: Central High School Gymnasium, 4525 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Those wishing to attend must RSVP here: Event Registration
For more details, visit: azag.gov/press-release
“These firings are a betrayal of our veterans, plain and simple,” Attorney General Mayes said. “I won’t stand by while billionaires in Washington, D.C. rip away vital care from those who served our great nation to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. I urge everyone impacted by the Trump-Musk cuts to attend our upcoming hearing and make their voices heard.”
