VA reports record number of severe staffing shortages across its health system

An annual report from the VA inspector general revealed 4,712 severe occupational staffing shortages in fiscal 2026, the most reported in the past seven years, across all 139 VA health facilities. Officials identified shortages in 389 distinct positions, with a year-over-year rise in reported challenges for physicians and nurses. Practical nurses have become the most frequently cited clinical shortage, surpassing psychologists, while psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and nursing assistants also rank among the top five.

The VA attributes the difficulty to a tight healthcare labor market and statutory pay caps that limit physician salaries to $400,000, despite higher private-sector earnings. Although the department reports vacancy rates of 15% for doctors and 9% for nurses, it emphasizes that these rates remain below many private hospitals. Lawmakers have urged faster use of pay-waiver authority granted by the Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, which allows up to 300 waivers to exceed the salary cap.