VA Secretary says his goal is to increase efficiency

Washington, DC

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins is proposing significant changes to the Department of Veterans Affairs, including a potential reduction of up to 80,000 jobs, as part of a broader plan to increase efficiency and focus on the agency’s core mission.

In an exclusive interview, Collins explained that previous attempts to increase funding and personnel have not delivered the desired results for veterans. “We tried the money and people approach and it didn’t work,” Collins said. “It adds up to about 80,000 people, a lot. We may not get there.”  Despite the proposed cuts, Collins assured veterans that essential services would not be affected. “We’re not cutting health care, and we’re not cutting benefits,” he said.

Collins said the reorganization is intended to target inefficiencies and better address critical issues like veteran suicide and homelessness. “We’re spending a lot of money and not seeing a lot of results,” Collins said. “There are still 17 to 20 veterans who die by suicide every day in this country.” Collins also discussed a change in policy regarding transgender veterans. Veterans currently receiving gender-affirming care will continue to be covered, but the VA will no longer accept new patients for this type of treatment. “We’re not going to be in the business of taking and changing a person’s sex,” Collins said.

The proposed cuts and policy shifts have drawn strong criticism from Democrats. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the restructuring a “betrayal” of veterans.  “House Democrats will not tolerate this betrayal of our nation’s heroes,” Jeffries said. Collins responded directly to the criticism, dismissing claims from Democratic leaders. “I would say the Democrats quit telling lies,” he said.

Veterans and lawmakers from both parties have voiced concerns about the impact of these changes on veterans’ care and services.

***THIS STORY WAS PUBLISHED BY by: Reshad Hudson, KSN, Wichita, KS