A demonstration took place in Saginaw, Michigan, on Monday as protesters from the “Fight for Democracy” group gathered in front of the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center. Their aim was to express concerns over the potential privatization of veterans services, which they fear might adversely affect the quality and accessibility of these services.
The rally centered on veterans’ access to necessary services and the lack of union representation among federal workers. Protesters voiced their apprehensions that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) might be leaning towards privatization, potentially jeopardizing the standard of care provided to veterans.
Responding to the demonstration, Pete Kasperowicz, Press Secretary for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, refuted these allegations of privatization. He highlighted that the VA has seen substantial growth over the years, citing an increase in the VA’s budget from $46 billion in 2000 to nearly $400 billion projected for 2025, alongside the significant expansion of the workforce. Furthermore, Kasperowicz mentioned recent achievements such as the opening of 17 new healthcare clinics since early 2025, improvements in health care wait times, and a reduction in the backlog of veterans waiting for benefits.
He emphasized ongoing VA reforms aimed at improving infrastructure, processing disability claims, and facilitating access to care from non-VA providers. The VA has also offered nearly one million out-of-hours appointments to provide veterans with more convenient options for medical care.
Despite assurances from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the “Fight for Democracy” group remains vigilant in advocating for veteran services. They have planned another protest scheduled to take place in Freeland on Wednesday at 5 p.m., continuing their campaign against perceived threats to the public provision of veterans services.