Leaders say they still need more staff to keep up with patient demands. The changes will begin with workers in the Washington, D.C. headquarters starting this fall. Physicians can wait as long as a year to start working even after they've been hired, department officials acknowledged. VA officials said hiring and retention levels are at record highs, but workers groups say even more staff is needed to keep up. In an exclusive interview, Denis McDonough outlined the challenges facing his department and how he hopes to fix them. The department is revamping employment policies to better recruit and retain talent. Both troops and civilian employees are in line for at least a 4.6% pay raise in 2023. The department has not had a Senate-confirmed under secretary for health in six years. Active coronavirus cases among department patients have increased over the last month. Department officials say only a handful of employees have been dismissed for refusing the vaccine mandate. Load More