Department of Veterans Affairs (Photo: Alastair Pike)
Two VA physicians came under scrutiny after co-authoring a journal article about the risks federal budget cuts pose to Veterans’ health, an incident that The Guardian reported as part of a move by senior VA officials to limit public commentary from government scientists.
The article, written by VA pulmonologists Dr. Pavan Ganapathiraju and Dr. Rebecca Traylor and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, warned that canceled contracts, layoffs, and proposed staffing reductions could harm Veterans exposed to toxic substances. The authors noted a rise in cases of pulmonary fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and other respiratory conditions among Veterans. They pointed to an increased need for care following a 2022 Congressional expansion of presumed service-connected health conditions (e.g. the PACT Act).
Shortly after publication, political appointees at the VA sent internal emails directing staff not to publish in academic journals or speak to the public without prior clearance. According to The Guardian, those instructions came from Curt Cashour, VA assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs, and John Bartrum, a senior adviser to VA Secretary Doug Collins.
“We have guidance for this,” wrote Cashour in an email, attaching the journal article. “These people did not follow it.”
Bartrum added, “Please remind the field and academic community that they need to follow the VA policy,” emphasizing the need to alert Washington “as soon as possible” about any issue with “potential for negative national exposure.”
VA press secretary Peter Kasperowicz responded to questions about the policy by stating it “has been in place for several years across both Democrat and Republican administrations” and requires that VA employees coordinate with public affairs staff before speaking with the media. “Virtually every organization, both inside and outside government, has similar policies,” he said.
Dr. Ganapathiraju, however, told The Guardian that the article was in full compliance with VA guidelines, which encourage but do not require coordination when publishing scholarly work. He added that he and his co-author had not faced disciplinary action and had received support from VA colleagues nationwide.
Veterans advocates and former VA officials raised concerns that the administration’s response fits into a pattern of restricting scientific communication. Since 2017, critics say federal research budgets have been slashed and regulatory oversight tightened, leading to what some have described as a war on science.
The VA operates more than 100 research centers and publishes tens of thousands of scientific papers annually. VA scientists have contributed major medical advancements, including the development of the pacemaker, the nicotine patch, and critical PTSD treatments.
Harold Kudler, a former national mental health policy lead at the VA, told The Guardian that the internal response to the journal article was “powerful in its impact and frightening in the threat it represents.” He warned that such actions could discourage future research. “Veterans will suffer because of it,” he said. “Plus, all research programs will take note.”
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted family connection to the military, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
