Horizon Cutting-room Links: Monday, 24 March 2025

"Trump and DOGE Propel V.A. Mental Health System Into Turmoil," New York Times

"Clinicians warn that the changes will degrade mental health treatment at the V.A., which already has severe staffing shortages. Some expect to see a mass exodus of sought-after specialists, like psychiatrists and psychologists. They expect wait times to increase, and veterans to eventually seek treatment outside the agency."

"Dr. Lynn F. Bufka, head of practice at the American Psychological Association, said the “longstanding presumed practice for the delivery of psychotherapy” requires a private location, like a room with a door and soundproofing outside the room."

"Small Business Administration Planning to Cut More Than 40% of Its Workforce," Wall Street Journal

"The extensive workforce reduction and restructuring will take the SBA, an agency with more than 6,500 employees, back to prepandemic staffing levels by eliminating around 2,700 positions. The cuts will affect nonessential roles at the agency, and include voluntary resignations and the expiration of appointments made during the Covid-19 pandemic, the people said."

"The agency, created in 1953, runs loan programs to provide small companies with capital, helps small businesses win federal contracts and funds local centers where entrepreneurs receive counseling, technical assistance and other support."

"GSA’s overhaul of FedRAMP contingent on automation," Federal News Network

"Multiple sources say the program management office is ending its contracts with Noblis and The Clearing for support services. Sources say the PMO will not pick up the option on Noblis’s $64 million contract, awarded in 2024 for program management and technical support service. Noblis held this or a similar contract since 2012.

"'In the new process, it will be a requirement to say encrypt everything. Now if the CSP says they are doing that, they will need to show the code running that says everything is encrypted and give industry runway to innovate to create solutions,' the source said. 'Google or AWS or other CSPs can do that already. You can click a button to become FedRAMPed on their platform. The idea is how we can use technology to solve a problem that used to be a big checklist.'"

"DoD works to reinstate fired probationary employees, many still await answers," FedNewsNetwork

"A court filing Wednesday showed the Defense Department had terminated 365 employees since mid-February after the Office of Personnel Management instructed federal agencies to submit lists of probationary employees reminding them that they’re the easiest to remove from federal service."

"A Defense Health Agency employee placed on administrative leave during the first round of firings received a reinstatement letter Tuesday morning instructing her to return to work on March 24."