VA Secretary Doug Collins plans significant staffing cuts

In his first six weeks as the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Doug Collins has identified significant waste in the agency. He found that the VA was spending money on unnecessary items like PowerPoint presentations and even plant watering. Collins emphasized that the agency needs to focus on its core mission of serving veterans. He stated that while veterans will continue to receive their benefits and healthcare, the VA is not meant to operate as an employment agency. He criticized complaints from some politicians and union leaders about budget cuts, insisting that the VA must prioritize caring for veterans. So far, Collins has canceled hundreds of contracts that are not essential, saving around $900 million. He has also stopped funding for certain gender-affirming treatments to redirect resources toward severely injured veterans. According to VA documents, only a tiny fraction of veterans utilize these services. Collins plans to reduce the workforce significantly. The VA has already laid off 2,400 employees, and there are recommendations to cut an additional 80,000 positions, which would return staffing levels to what they were in 2019. The previous administration increased the workforce by more than 52,000, but Collins has questioned the effectiveness of those hires. Under Biden's presidency, the VA's budget increased substantially, but Collins reported that the agency has faced issues like improper payments and rising wait times for care. Despite spending more on suicide prevention, the rates of veteran suicide have not improved, indicating deeper systemic issues within the VA that Collins aims to address.