In the last couple of weeks, Democratic lawmakers have voiced serious concerns with the Department of Government Efficiency spearheaded by tech billionaire Elon Musk over the implications on veterans’ health care. The concerns were on access to sensitive personal data and huge cuts into the budget of the Department of Veterans Affairs, which will include the elimination of service for veterans.
Access to sensitive data by DOGE
There are reports that DOGE has been granted access to sensitive Treasury data, including the payment systems for Social Security and Medicare. The development has increased concern among lawmakers and veterans’ advocates who believe that such access will compromise personal information belonging to veterans. Associated Press quoted, “The Department of Government Efficiency. has gained access to sensitive Treasury data including Social Security and Medicare customer payment systems.”
Concerns of senators
More than two dozen Democratic senators, in a letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins, urged him to block DOGE from accessing veterans’ personal information on the ground that such access is unauthorized and presents a significant risk to the privacy of veterans. According to Stars and Stripes, “More than two dozen Democratic senators sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins asking that he stop tech billionaire Elon Musk and his associates from accessing and collecting veterans’ personal information from the federal government’s computers.”
Possible reduction in health care for veterans
Apart from the issue pertaining to data privacy, there is also a growing concern related to the health services cutbacks on veterans. The mandate set by DOGE to streamline government operations has triggered apprehensions that important services such as those extended by the VA might be up for cuts. Senator Richard Blumenthal, who sits on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, has led opposition to such measures. He recently urged Secretary Collins to exclude VA employees from a federal hiring freeze, citing their jobs as vital to the administration of healthcare and benefits for veterans.
Legal challenges and public outcry
All this while, lawsuits have been filed by different unions and advocacy groups to restrict unauthorized access to sensitive data. The Associated Press adds, “Thirteen Democratic attorneys general have announced plans to sue to prevent Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, from accessing federal payment systems containing Americans’ personal information.”
